PAC questions aviation ministry,AAI officials

Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament today questioned top officials of the civil aviation ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) over the Delhi Airport operator using 5 per cent land of Delhi Airport for commercial purposes besides utilising the Development Fee (DF) levied on passengers for bridging its financial gap.

The PAC is currently examining a CAG report on the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The report was critical of the levy of DF on passengers. The CAG had also charged the civil aviation ministry of violating bid conditions for the benefit of Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) worth over Rs 3,415 crore.

Sources disclosed that the members of the PAC contended that the use of the DF to bridge the financial gap was neither mentioned in the request for proposal,nor was it covered under any clause of the Operation,Management and Development Agreement or even the state support agreement.

Appearing on behalf of his ministry,civil aviation Secretary KN Srivastava maintained that the AERA had approved the levy of the DF and it was in accordance with the AAI Act to bridge the funding gap.

The officials denied allegations of passing undue benefits to DIAL.