Migrants are welcome in Mumbai: Praful Patel

As entire nation keenly watches the developments in Maharashtra (post MNS’ anti-North Indians campaign), political parties are on their toes as one wrong move could badly hurt their chances in the coming elections (at the Centre as well as in the state). Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, a Maharashtrian himself, spoke to Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi on ‘Kahiye Janab’. The astute politician talked at length about his party’s viewpoint on Marathi Manoos, his much controversial Open Sky policy and much more. Excerpts… Swati: You have suddenly discovered NCP’s Marathi roots! So, in a way, you are defending Raj Thackeray. Am I right? Also, tell us why all NCP’s ministers in Maharashtra boycotted the recent state cabinet meet? Praful Patel: The notion that we are supporting Raj Thackeray is false. Actually, Raj Thackeray is part of Shiv Sena. They parted ways in the recent past. Further, the issue (row over North Indians) sprang up suddenly during the cabinet meet. To say that we boycotted (the cabinet meet) is wrong. The issue here is that Railways could have arranged for multiple exam centres in Mumbai in view of the large influx of candidates from outside. This could have prevented the incident from happening in the first place. Swati: So you are accusing Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav (of being responsible for the entire incident)? Praful: No, I am not saying that. Such incidents have taken place in the past too. Changes should have been made in the Railway exam pattern. Swati: You were born and brought up in Mumbai. What do you think of the present situation keeping in mind the recent flare-ups in Mumbai? Praful: I am a Maharashtrian. We have been living here for over a century. But one thing I want to lay emphasis on is that Mumbai is not only Maharashtra’s capital, but also the financial capital of the country. So there should be no restriction on the entry of people seeking to establish business or to live here. Further, I do not subscribe to Raj Thackeray’s argument on this issue (about migrants living in the state). There should be no compulsion for the migrants to learn the local language or to put up Marathi signboards. Also, there is nothing wrong if migrants want to practice their particular region’s culture. Swati: Some people are saying that the Congress party is using Raj Thackeray as a “counter” to Shiv Sena. What are your views on this? Praful: It sounds quite funny. How can you forget that Congress and NCP are actually fighting Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra? In fact, I am quite surprised that the BJP, which is boasting of being a national party, is keeping mum on this issue (migrants in Mumbai). I believe that there might have been a secret deal between the BJP and Raj (Thackeray) (in connection with the recent anti-North Indian campaign in Mumbai). Swati: Recently, there was a big lay off in the aviation sector. Raj Thackeray claimed that his interference forced the airline to take back the sacked employees, as he warned that he would disrupt the airline`s operations in Mumbai. However, you claimed, later, that you persuaded the airline to roll back the retrenchment. What is the truth? Praful: I am the Civil Aviation Minister. If I don’t work towards the betterment of this sector, then who will? If only by showing flags and staging demonstrations one was able to secure others` jobs, it would have been a miracle! I talked to Naresh Goyal and told him that what was happening was wrong. The government cannot help the aviation sector if airlines start behaving in such a manner. Swati: Critics are claiming that you have allowed unchecked growth in the aviation sector by embracing Open Sky policy. What do you have to say? Praful: It is wrong to say this. The sector has expanded because we have liberalised it. I remember that in 2004, there were only 50 airports in the country, now there are more than 90 airports. Earlier, air travel was quite cheaper but, albeit temporarily they have been raised due the hike in ATF (Air Turbine Fuel) prices. ATF constitutes 50 percent of an airline’s expenditure, so it was quite natural (to hike prices). Now ATF prices are on a downward spiral. We will reap benefits of this in the near future. If we would not have embraced the Open Sky policy, there would not have been so much progress in the sector. The problems that you see in the sector are mainly because of high ATF prices. Also, hundreds would get employment in future in the sector. The liberalisation of aviation industry will also boost tourism in the country. It will also help in opening lots of peripheral businesses in the country. Swati: There is no regulatory authority in the aviation sector. Also, there are allegations that the government is subjecting Air India (AI) to step-motherly treatment. Praful: Many people do not know that we have the Director General of Civil Aviation, which is an autonomous body having regulatory powers. We are also bringing some systematic changes in the process. The Central government has passed the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority Bill which will come into effect soon. Swati: What about AI and IA? Praful: Accusations that the government is not taking care of AI and IA are baseless. It was, in fact, during the last government’s tenure when AI and IA were rescued while they were on the verge of being privatised. We have, in turn, helped them in their expansion. We have given them Rs 40,000 crore to purchase new aircraft. We are not giving any aid to them (AI and IA). They are self- reliant. There was neither any decrease in the number of aircraft nor size. The merger of both was due to economic reasons. In fact, various airlines merged with others like Kingfisher-Air Deccan and Jet-Sahara, which is purely on the basis of sound economic reasons. Swati: Earlier as a customer and now as a Civil Aviation Minister, are you satisfied with AI and IA services? Praful: Both the airlines are on the revival path. There are some problems with them and we are working to make them fundamentally strong. Air India is also expected to join Star Alliance - the largest global airline alliance. Swati: My last question -- will you join Congress ever? Praful: (Laughs…) Well, I am quite happy with NCP. Well, I am quite happy with NCP. I respect my leader Sharad Pawar and have good relations with him.Adapted by Anil Kumar Satapathy