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K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad, Jan. 29 The Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has opposed the move to close down what it called the profit-making Begumpet airport to facilitate the greenfield GMR Hyderabad International Airport at Shamshabad.

Mr Dipankar Mukherjee, National Secretary of the CPM-affiliated trade union, told Business Line on the sidelines of a national convention that the market economy should allow different players to compete. “Why should Airport Authority of India close its shop in favour of a private player’s shop? We will ask the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, whose market economy it is,” he said.

“They (private companies) talk about competition everywhere, but here they want us to close the public sector unit to favour them. Let them compete,” he said.

Mr Mukherjee, former Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation, was here to address the national level convention organised by the Airport Authority Employees Union (AAEU) to oppose the reported closure.

The concession agreement between the Centre and promoters of GHIAL mandates the closure of the airport for commercial operations from the day the new airport commences its operations. The GHIAL is scheduled to be inaugurated on March 16.

Taking a tough stand on the issue, Mr Mukherjee hinted at an agitation by the employees to stall the closure move. “They may have to look at the final weapon they have,” he said.

The CITU leader expressed concern that if it (closure of the existing airport) happened in Hyderabad, it could become a precedent and might pose a threat elsewhere, where the Government proposed to take up international airport projects.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Airlines | Andhra Pradesh

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