More needs to be done rather than helping few: BJP on FDI in aviation

 BJP today said its stand on FDI in civil aviation is almost the same as that of the government but maintained that this decision alone will not bail out the airlines and much more needs to be done for the sector instead of taking steps which only help some individuals.

"We have almost the same stand (as the government) as far as FDI in civil aviation is concerned. We are not opposed to FDI in aviation," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

Rudy, however, maintained that unless and until the civil aviation industry in the country becomes "robust" to handle the challenges of foreign airlines coming to India this step would not be of much help.

The former civil aviation minister said the manner in which FDI is being done will give foreign airlines a clean access to the market and all bilaterals would be meaningless as every foreign airline would have access to the places which are covered by national carrier Air India.

"This is a country where policies are made not for the country but for individuals and this is the problem with the country. The policy of FDI in aviation for which all these political parties have come together is not for the country but for individuals associated with the industry," he alleged.

He said if the steps being taken by the UPA government to remove notions of a policy paralysis are being called "bold" then it is unfortunate as these are "anti-people". PTI RC RAI 09142038 NNNN