Employees consortium who bid for the airline shouldn't be dealing with info that influences sale: Air India

Air India has directed the company's employee consortium, who had submitted a bid in the airline's divestment, that they should not be dealing with matters related to policy and other strategic issues that influences the sale process. The consortium has been ordered to submit a formal intimation of participation by 21st December 2020.

New Delhi: Air India Ltd. employees who had submitted a bid to purchase 51 per cent of the loss-making state-owned carrier has been directed by the company that they should not be dealing with matters related to policy and other strategic issues that influences the sale process.

"...such employees are directed that they should not handle matters related to policy and other strategic issues of the company which may have a bearing on the disinvestment of Air India or any information which may be used directly or indirectly in this regard," the official order undersigned by Ashwani Sehgal, General Manager (Personnel), Air India stated on Wednesday.

"All employees who are participating in the said consortium for submitting an EOI for participation in the bid for strategic disinvestment of Air India Ltd. Are directed to submit a formal intimation of participation in the consortium of Management-Employees as per the format attached, through their respective Departmental Head to the office of General Manager (Personnel), Hqrs, New Delhi latest by 21st December 2020," the order added.

The order issued with the approval of airline CMD, further stated that non-compliance of instructions by the employees will be viewed seriously and necessary action as deemed fit will be undertaken against them.

The employee consortium is being led by Meenakshi Malik, the Air India Commercial Director. The employees, each of whom is contributing Rs 1 lakh to the bid, have proposed to acquire 51 per cent of the airline's stake, while the remaining 49 per cent is supposed to be held by financial partners.

Earlier, the two pilot unions - Indian Commercial Pilots Association and Indian Pilots Guild had advised their members not to participate in the airline's divestment process.