Singh also said government cannot and should not run any industry, especially the service industry, suggesting that government employees do not have the attitude of treating customers as king.
Talking tough, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Tuesday night told striking Air India pilots that they should first decide what they want -- either keep the national carrier afloat or shut it down.
In candid remarks, Singh also said government cannot and should not run any industry, especially the service industry, suggesting that government employees do not have the attitude of treating customers as king.
"If they want to shut down Air India they can do it very easily. And they have to decide what they want to do. It is not only Air India pilots, but all employees should feel they have a stake in Air India's success," Singh told NDTV.
He was responding to a question whether the government was ready to sack more pilots if they don't relent.
"Air India employees should realise that it is their airline...Their progress and jobs depend if airline does well. If they want to tip it over the brink they can do it easily. First thing they have to decide what they want to do," he said.
At the same time, Singh assured that the government would consider the issues raised by pilots and the recommendations of Dharmadhikari Report on integration of employees following the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines.
Asked whether the government can close down Air India, he said: "But if you consider if we completely shut down Air India, there will be other repercussions. Of course, that vacuum can be filled but it will take time and meanwhile the passengers will pay. The airfares will shoot up and they have 17% of traffic today. You suddenly can't fill up that gap."
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