HC notice to management over PILs filed by pilots' union
The NAG also sought to do away with the discrimination between foreign and Indian pilots on the parameters of experience and health checkups.
By TNN |
CHENNAI: Brushing aside preliminary objections from Jet Airways, Madras high court on Thursday decided to entertain two public interest writ petitions filed by the airline���s pilot union, National Aviators Guild (NAG), and issue notice to the Jet management.
One of the petitions sought to cancel permission given by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Jet to engage foreign pilots while keeping experienced and senior Indian pilots out of jobs. The other plea was to direct the DGCA to monitor Jet���s operations on a ������ day-to-day and flight-wise basis������ to ensure safety of passengers.
The NAG also sought to do away with the discrimination between foreign and Indian pilots on the parameters of experience and health checkups. Indian pilots are required to undergo medical tests once in six months, no such requirement had been stipulated for foreign hands, the union said. Jet���s senior counsel P S Raman argued before a division bench comprising Justice D Murugesan and Justice M Jaichandren that the PILs couldn���t be maintained as they pertained to a ������ service matter������.
Senior advocate V Prakash, representing the pilots, told the court that he wasn���t pressing for an order restraining the management from terminating the services of pilots on its rolls. The bench said the petitions were maintainable and fit for hearing if the pilots didn���t insist on the termination issue. ������ We hold that the writ petitions are maintainable, as they don���t relate to service matter.������
Ordering notices to the management and DGCA, the judges posted the matter to September 16 for hearing. They also permitted the NAG to serve notice on the additional solicitor-general M Ravindran, who would be representing the Centre.
One of the petitions sought to cancel permission given by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Jet to engage foreign pilots while keeping experienced and senior Indian pilots out of jobs. The other plea was to direct the DGCA to monitor Jet���s operations on a ������ day-to-day and flight-wise basis������ to ensure safety of passengers.
The NAG also sought to do away with the discrimination between foreign and Indian pilots on the parameters of experience and health checkups. Indian pilots are required to undergo medical tests once in six months, no such requirement had been stipulated for foreign hands, the union said. Jet���s senior counsel P S Raman argued before a division bench comprising Justice D Murugesan and Justice M Jaichandren that the PILs couldn���t be maintained as they pertained to a ������ service matter������.
Senior advocate V Prakash, representing the pilots, told the court that he wasn���t pressing for an order restraining the management from terminating the services of pilots on its rolls. The bench said the petitions were maintainable and fit for hearing if the pilots didn���t insist on the termination issue. ������ We hold that the writ petitions are maintainable, as they don���t relate to service matter.������
Ordering notices to the management and DGCA, the judges posted the matter to September 16 for hearing. They also permitted the NAG to serve notice on the additional solicitor-general M Ravindran, who would be representing the Centre.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
