-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1361904.cms
Speed up airport modernisation: Panel PTI[ FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2006 05:48:50 PM] NEW DELHI: Members of a Parliamentary Committee on Friday sought modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports without further delay, even as the Civil Aviation Ministry announced the appointment of a Task Force, lead arrangers and consultants for the development of 35 non-metro airports in a phased manner at a cost of Rs 5,500 crore....Regarding the 35 non-metro airports identified by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the members were informed that a Task Force has been constituted under the chairmanship of Member, Planning Commission, for finalisation of the financial model. The report of the Task Force is expected in January, the spokesperson said. > Its funny but the number 35 seems to correspond roughly to the 28 civil enclaves (like Dabolim) in the country. Why do I have this feelng that in the end it will mainly be the (few?) non-CEs in the group which will rake in the big bucks for the modernisation plan. This is because they will be able to attract FDI to the tune of 49%. Who will invest in CEs? They will end up with crumbs. In a further twist, higher shares of FDI (74%?) are allowed for greenfield projects (like Mopa). So foreign investment is being stampeded towards greenfield projects. These in turn are designed as replacements for CEs due to military obduracy and budgetary gamesmanship And the coup de grace is the requirement (a la the Union Cabinet decision on Dabolim of March 2000) to shut down CEs once the greenfield projects are up and running! This is the kind of distorted policy frame the low cost civil aviation industry is trying to fly on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
