Row over MPs asking private airlines for benefits

A massive controversy has started after a meeting of a parliamentary panel during which MPs apparently wanted some privileges from private airlines such as priority on reservation of seats on flights and a protocol officer for facilitation. There were TV reports of other demands too, some of which the MPs denied having made but which may have been made informally by some of them such as front-row seats with leg-room, free meals in low-cost carriers, being taken to the aircraft on the tarmac in golf carts, air-tickets free of “surge pricing” which effectively means discounted tickets, access to airline lounges and special counters for check-in. Some of these demands apparently left representatives of private airlines who attended the meeting in a tizzy and the private airlines are understood to have expressed inability to accept some of the demands. The MPs reportedly raised various issues regarding perks and privileges at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament earlier this week following which questions are being raised on why MPs should be extended complementary privileges by private airlines. The meeting was also attended by top aviation ministry officials.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury denied that the MPs had asked for special privileges, and said that there were requests on reservation of seats on flights, and provision of a Protocol Officer for facilitation since MPs from all parts of the country converge on the national capital during Parliament sessions. “This should not be blown out of proportion,” he said. Mr Chowdhury also accused some of the private airlines of fleecing passengers by charging huge fares. BJP MP and panel-member Yogi Adityanath reportedly said various so-called demands that were surfacing in reports had all been made up and that there was no truth in these.

Private airlines are cutting costs and granting various perks and privileges to MPs could prove to be a logistical nightmare and financial burden that many are not keen to shoulder. There are 545 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha and the combined numerical strength of the MPs would take it to nearly 800.

It may be recalled that the previous UPA-2 Government in January, 2014, had made it clear that all “private airlines and airport operators” too need to grant special privileges for MPs like lounge access as per the laid-down protocol for MPs. This included access to reserved lounge facilities, complimentary tea, coffee or water, and designation of one officer of airport as Protocol Officer to extend all facilities and courtesies to MPs. The previous UPA-2 Government had even informed Parliament of this in August, 2013, as per the reply given at that time by the then Minister of State for Civil Aviation K.C. Venugopal. The UPA-2 Government had said then that the protocol is “to be followed by all concerned, including private airports and airlines”. A protocol was put into place in 2007 by the UPA-1 Government.

Incidentally, various special privileges are already being extended to MPs for the past several years by national carrier Air India which is owned by the Government. Sources in Air India had earlier said the facilities extended to MPs by the national carrier include also includes priority check-in and designation of one officer of the airline as Protocol or Nodal Officer to extend all facilities and courtesies to MPs.