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AAI employees call off strike — Tripartite panel to look into issues

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Feb. 4

THE four-day old agitation by employees of the Airports Authority of India opposed to the Government's modernisation plan for Delhi and Mumbai airports was called off this afternoon.

"In view of the request made by the Prime Minister yesterday and the written communication received from the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, today the agitation is being withdrawn. We will return to work immediately," the Convenor of the AAI Joint Workers Forum, Mr M.K. Ghoshal, said. The Forum was spearheading the agitation.

The communication from Mr Patel states that the Government will set up a tripartite committee to look into a variety of issues, including the proposals for modernising other airports by AAI. The letter adds that the Committee, which will have representation from the Ministry for Civil Aviation, AAI and Joint Forum, will also look into issues of job security.

In addition, the communication makes it clear that there would be no victimisation of any employee because of their participation in the agitation.

"I hope the letter will assuage the feelings of all those connected with the agitation and necessary steps will be taken to end the stalemate immediately," Mr Patel said.

Later speaking to newspersons, the Minister expressed the hope that the things would return to normal at airports around the country within the next few hours.

The prospects of the agitation being called off brightened yesterday after the AAI employees had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and other senior Government functionaries including Mr Patel. At the meeting, it was made clear to the AAI workers that there would be no backtracking on the modernisation programme for Delhi and Mumbai airports. However, the workers were also assured that their jobs would be protected and not a single employee would lose his/her job due to the modernisation programme. At the meeting, the Prime Minister is said to have agreed to the formation of the tripartite committee.

However, there were some tense moments today about the action continuing after the agitating workers were lathi-charged at Delhi airport during the early hours of the morning.

The four-day agitation did not lead to any large-scale disruption in air services around the country. Passengers were, however, inconvenienced as the airports were dirty and other services including water, power and trolleys were often in short supply.

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