To fix Air India,get a CEO: PMO

PMO keen to rope in a professional for the top job at the national carrier for a term longer than three years to arrest losses and turn it around

As the national carrier Air India plunges deeper into losses,the Prime Ministers Office has expressed its keenness to rope in a professional for the top job at Air India for a term longer than the current tenure of three years,said sources. The civil aviation ministry,said top government sources,has initiated the process for change of guard at Air India.

The proposal for a change at the airlines helm along with suggested names is under consideration and will be sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, said the source. At least three officers were approached for the top job,one of whom told The Indian

Express that he has declined the offer. The airline is in a bad shape,neck-deep into losses. Who would want to take it over now?, said one of the high-ranking official who was approached with the offer. In fact,the ministry sources revealed that the hunt for a new CMD was on an officer was approached today too and the incumbent may not be able to complete his three-year tenure. Sources admitted that it will be tough to bring in professionals,as those with domain knowledge are already running their own airlines.

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Another factor keeping contenders at bay,is the Comptroller and Auditor Generals (CAG) report on Air India acquisition of aircraft and its impact on airlines operational and financial performance to be tabled in Parliament towards month-end. The report is being given the final touches,said sources.

The report,once laid,is likely to question certain decisions. The CMD will be required to depose before the Public Accounts Committee. Who would want to enter an airline at this point?, said the official quoted earlier. The airline is said to have cleared the nearly two-months salary dues today following the government releasing Rs 210 crore to it last week.

Sources close to the incumbent CMD Arvind Jadhav said he was prepared to work anywhere else if the government so wanted. Pointing out that he was appointed for a three-year term,they said it is governments prerogative to retain or remove him before his term end on May 4,2012.