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Modernisation work at Kolkata and Chennai airports is likely to be delayed following an agitation by a section of officers of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The possible delay will be on account of a section of engineers refusing to put in the extra hours needed to complete these projects.
While the proposed Rs 2,500 crore modernisation programme at the Kolkata airport is expected to be completed by March 2012 - after it missed its deadline twice; the new deadline for the Rs 2,350-crore Chennai airport is likely to be in mid-2012.
Close to 250-odd in Kolkata and another 230-odd in Chennai — belonging to the International Airports Authority of India Officers' Association (IAAIOA), have refused to work overtime from December 19 alleging discrimination in promotions and perks. The employees have refused to work beyond their stipulated working hours (eight hours) from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
When contacted, Ms Neerja Rathee, Assistant General Secretary, IAAIOA, said: “The agitations may delay modernisation work at the airports. But we are helpless in this regard.”
IAAIOA members are carrying out a work-to-rule programme — a form of protest where industry employees do not work for more than the minimum stipulated hours. Agitations have been restricted to the lunch hours only. The work-to-rule programme began December 19 onwards.
According to Ms Rathee, engineers belonging to the IAAIOA at the Kolkata and Chennai airports had been putting in extra efforts and working overtime – including on weekends and scheduled off days — to ensure speedy completion of the modernisation work.
The agitating engineers are demanding promotions and perks at par with officers of the erstwhile National Airports Authority of India, which became the AAI after merging with the International Airports Authority of India in 1995.
According to officials at the Kolkata airport, nearly 90 per cent of the modernisation work has already been achieved. Mr B.P. Sharma, Director, Kolkata Airport, despite repeated attempts could not be contacted.
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