Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh changed his stand on privatization of Air India after strong opposition by political parties. According to an Economic Times report, Singh backtracked saying Government has ”no intention” to do so. The report quoted Singh as saying, ”This government has no intention to privatise Air India. After this package of Rs 32,000 crore, the government will not give any more money. Air India will have to fend for itself.”

According to the report Singh also said that employees and the management of Air India will have to understand that aviation is a very competitive market. ”The margins are thin and it’s a capital intensive industry,” the minister said.

The change of stand by the Union Minister came amid mounting pressure by the Opposition parties, which took strong objection to his earlier remark and accused him of selling public asset without bringing a civil aviation policy.

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