Shah-led GoM's Second Meeting On Air India Disinvestment Likely On Tuesday

The second meeting of Home Minister Amit Shah-headed Group of Ministers (GoM) is likely to take place on Tuesday, according to a source.

The meeting is expected to discuss the Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) on the Air India sale process, the source said.

The Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) or GoM has already approved re-initiation of the process for the government’s 100 per cent stake sale in Air India along with Air India Express and the carrier’s stake in joint venture AISATS.

“The second meeting of the Group of Ministers on Air India sale may take place on Tuesday. It is likely to discuss the Preliminary Information Memorandum on the sale process,” the source in the know of development told PTI on Monday.

He also said that “the expression of interest could be invited 45 days after the uploading of the PIM document”.

The last GoM meeting took place in September last year. Apart from Shah, it was also attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.  

Meanwihle, debt-ridden Air India on Monday told travel agents and websites that rumours about its imminent shutdown are “baseless” and its financial condition is being appropriately dealt with.

Meenakshi Malik, Director-Commercial, Air India told travel partners in a letter, “There have been rumours going around in travel markets that Air India may be closing down its operations. I wish to take this opportunity to clarify that these rumours are baseless and without an iota of truth.”

“Air India’s financially and operational condition is being appropriately dealt with without compromising on our service levels,” she added.