AI top management''s performance likely to be reviewed

Mumbai, Feb 17 (PTI) With a view to improving ailingnational air-carrier Air India''s fortunes, a performancereview of its top management was on the cards, Civil AviationMinister Vayalar Ravi said today.

The exercise will be in addition to the review of lower-level cadre, he told reporters here.

"We will look into the performance of general workers --this is separate. But the management aspect of this(performance), I will definitely look into it...what we can doto improve (Air India) performance...," Ravi said.

He, however, laughed off a question on whether he washappy with the performance of the top management.

The Minister was here on a two-day visit to the city, hisfirst since taking charge of the Ministry last month, with anagenda to interact with the unions, seek their co-operation inAir India''s turnaround plan, as well as have discussions withthe airline''s senior management.

Air India unions on several occasions in the past hadalleged that the management did not take them into confidenceabout the air-carrier''s turnaround plan.

Their other serious allegation relates to the lack ofmanpower integration between Air India and Indian Airlinesdespite the passage of three-years since their merger.

"I patiently heard them (the unions). I have understoodtheir problems. Now I have to find the solution -- I will beworking on this," the Minister said. .