This refers to the edit “Still delaying take-off” (February 9). The Empowered Group of Ministers’ decision to import aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and bail out Air India is a classic example of a group decision going wrong. India’s beleaguered aviation sector definitely needs a boost but not at the cost of the exchequer. Moreover, the taxpayer’s money cannot be diverted for bailing out Air India. If the other two private carriers (Kingfisher and Jet Airways) are also in trouble, let the market take care of the situation. The edit rightly highlights the fact that taxpayers should not bear the burden of a transport segment that takes care of less than one per cent of India’s population. It has been reported that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is losing sleep over the rising subsidy bill. But being part of the EoGM, why can’t he take the obvious call to wind up the national carrier?
K V Rao Bangalore
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