Jet chief may not get security clearance from the govt

NEW DELHI: Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal may not get security clearance from the government to take over the Air Sahara board.

A senior home ministry functionary told DNA that a decision in the matter may be taken on Wednesday, and hinted that the country’s largest aviation deal may come unstuck.

Late on Tuesday, government sources were giving conflicting hints about the clearance. But reacting to television reports, the home ministry official said Goyal has not been given any security clearance “as yet”.

Another official said there are two aspects to the issue. While Goyal may get clearance for the Sahara deal, as he already heads Jet Airways, investigations into his airline’s alleged underworld links would continue, he said.

The deal is facing another looming hurdle in the form of growing differences between Jet and Sahara on the terms.