Edition 51
As the government came back to power and the prime minister took oath for the third consecutive time, the portfolio allocation threw up some surprises even as the top ministries saw continuity. The Civil aviation ministry saw two new faces with TDP MP from Srikakulam constituency in Andhra Pradesh Sh. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu becoming the Union Minister and BJP MP from Pune, Sh. Muralidhar Mohol being appointed as MoS.
Both have a lot in common, both are first time ministers, both are new to Civil Aviation and both are young and dynamic, with their age being much lower than the average age of the ministry. The Minister is a three term MP and a second generation politician while the MoS is a first term MP and someone who has grown from the grassroots without any prior family history of being in politics.
Is this the reset that the ministry needed? One does not know but a fresh mind without legacy or baggage can do wonders. Every ministry has challenges in one form or another. In some it could be distress for the lower income group with a large possibility to sway votes in elections and in others like civil aviation where it may not be a distress situation, it makes more news and sways opinions and becomes the talk of social media.
From revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) to industrial relations disputes in some airlines which had led to disruptions, the employee happiness quotient does not seem to be high even as the industry makes new records with both aircraft orders as well as passenger numbers. The capital outlay needed for expansion, working with various groups for privatisation and operationalising more airports are just some of the many challenges which lay ahead and will need a strong impetus. The lower age and a fresh mind could well be helpful to come up with new solutions. Over to the 100 day plan now!
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