Suresh Kalmadi takes part in 1st par panel meeting after jail stint

Suresh Kalmadi, who was in jail for nearly nine months in connection with the Commonwealth Games scam, today participated in a Parliamentary committee meeting on defence and gave suggestions about improving the performance of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Kalmadi, a former pilot, attended his first Parliamentary Committee meeting after his release on bail in January and inquired about the delays in completion of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas project, Ministry sources said in Delhi.

The 67-year-old MP from Pune also suggested that HAL should start working on developing a basic trainer aircraft first and building on that experience, start undertaking complex projects such as developing fighter aircraft, they said.

The Indian Olympics Committee (IOC) Chairman also advocated more autonomy for the only public sector aerospace unit and asked it to go for partnerships with the private sector for joint development projects.