24 ex-civil aviation secretaries to fly first class in Air India, get access to any part of all Indian airports

FINANCE secretary Ashok Chawla does not need to worry any longer how he would afford to fly first class with his immediate family members after retirement. Sounds odd, but a recent civil aviation ministry order has a reason to bring cheers to the finance secretary who is retiring on January 31, 2011.

Yes, Mr Chawla and other former civil aviation secretaries will now get a lifelong free air ticket upgrade facilities on Air India and free access to VIP lounge and any part of an airport anywhere in the country. After all, 24 ex-civil aviation secretaries such as K Roy Paul, Ajay Prasad and MK Kaw will be benefited by civil aviation ministry order dated March 16, 2010.

These facilities were earlier given only to former civil aviation ministers and ex-Air India CMDs. The ministry which has now decided to extend the facilities to former civil aviation secretaries too, sought a compliance report from Airports Authority of India, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, airports and airlines by April 30, 2010.

However, facility of upgrades of tickets for self and immediate family of former civil aviation secretaries for travel to the highest class available by Air India or Indian Airlines will be subject to availability of seats, the order said.

Action and Appoitments

The extension of the inter-cadre deputation of Hari Krishna Paliwal, a 1981 batch UP cadre IAS from Uttar Pradesh cadre to AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh) till February 28, 2013 has been approved. He is currently posted in Arunachal Pradesh.