Praful Patel terms AI employees' strike 'an act of absolute irresponsibility'

New Delhi, May 26 (ANI): Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today termed the strike by the ground staff of Air India as 'an act of absolute irresponsibility'.

Speaking to media persons in the national capital on Wednesday afternoon, Patel asserted that the management was free to take appropriate and decisive action against the striking employees.

"At this moment, he (Chairman of Air India) has not given any further...I mean...course of action. If or when he does require our support or guidance and if he does approach us with some proposal, we will talk to you. At this moment this is not the correct time to revel anything more. All I can say is they are free to take appropriate and decisive action. They are free to take any strong action or measures. This is not the way any section of employees should take entire law and management into their hands," said Praful Patel

The Union Minister, however, expressed his sympathises with the stranded passengers who had booked their flights by Air India and even said that all the other flights might be booked due to the summer vacations.

"I have myself said that it is very sad that the people who are travelling on Air India during this summer rush are the ones who are being inconvenienced. I think that Air India and all of us are really feeling very very sorry for the plight of the passengers because I do know for a fact that all flights across India are going full in view of the summer vacation rush," noted Praful Patel.

Air India's crew and engineers went on a flash strike as a mark of protest against the gag order issued after the Mangalore air crash and the show-cause notice issued to two employees on Tuesday (May 25).

On Wednesday evening, however, coming under pressure following Delhi High Court orders staying the Air India employees' strike, the strikers called off their agitation after holding a meet with the Air India management.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court observed that the strike had affected the business and stayed the strike by Air India employees till July 13.

The proposed May 31 strike has also been stayed. (ANI)