Pradeep Chavan and Vinayak Patkar have been issued transfer orders by their employer, Air India (AI). Their cabin in the AI office at Medicon Bhavan, Sahar, was sealed by the airline management to make sure that they abide by the transfer orders.
But Chavan and Patkar are not ready to give in. They think that they have been “unfairly” transferred. First, they sat in dharna on a sofa outside their sealed cabin. The sofa was removed. Undaunted, they plonked themselves on the staircase. It has been almost 50 days since the two began their dharna.
Both Chavan and Patkar worked with the information technology (IT) department of the AI, until they were transferred to the in-flight department seven years ago. “Their job was to keep records of the flying crew members. Also, they had to maintain the software used in keeping the records,” an airline source said.
In December last year, the software system crashed after the AI did not renew its maintenance contract with a Greek firm. “Patkar, Chavan and KK Munshi were asked to repair the software and take over its maintenance,” the source said.
The trio failed in its job. It took a week’s time to revive the system. “Irked by this, the management decided to shift them back to their original postings in the IT department,” the source added.
When the transfer orders were issued on January 22, Munshi promptly complied. But Patkar and Chavan refused to budge. “They began their dharna from January 25,” the source said.
“Initially, they used to sit on a sofa outside their sealed cabin. Last week, the sofa was removed. Now, they are lounging on the staircase near their cabin.”
Chavan told DNA, “We got our transfer orders without any explanation on January 22. According to the rules, I should have got three promotions by now. But instead of giving me any, the management has transferred me.”
He added, “A year ago, I warned the airline that the in-flight software was old and needed to be replaced, but no one listened. Now, we are being blamed for it crashing.”
K Swaminathan, GM, corporate communication, AI, did not respond to queries.
Comments