"The process of consultation is going on... The entire process has to be completed within 16 weeks from the day of the (Cabinet) decision. The post (of the chief) will come into place within the next fortnight and it will be chairman and managing director," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in an interview to Karan Thapar to be broadcast on television channels CNN-IBN and CNBC.
The issues of brand name, mascot and logo of the merged entity would also be finalised "in two weeks". "You will see everything falling in place in two weeks. I am sure that it will be broadly to the satisfaction of all concerned," he said.
Within a week, the professional advisors on the merger process would "come with their recommendations and I will go by professional advise", Patel said.
Asked whether appointment of a bureaucrat would not be in the interests of the new airline, he countered "don't think businessmen are the only solution. We will have the right man at the right place. It could also be a civil servant".
"There are excellent bureaucrats who can handle absolutely difficult situations. If Civil Aviation Ministry has now become vibrant and transparent for all the right reasons, it is to a great extent due to the will and hard work of bureaucrats. We will ensure that we find the right person", Patel asserted.
On the composition of the Board of Directors of the merged airline and its management, Patel said people with the "highest calibre, highest integrity and having an understanding of the aviation industry must be on the job".
He said both the airlines were "not devoid of good people. Earlier, the government did not allow them to buy aircraft. It was not their fault.
"...Every airline of success in India today -- be it Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Kingfisher or IndiGo -- have got the best people from Air India and Indian in the past," he said.
Guaranteeing that there would be no political interference in the functioning of the merged entity, the minister said "even today Air India and Indian are free to take independent commercial decisions".
Asked whether the new airline would go public to raise money, he said an Initial Public Offer could have been issued last year but the advisors on merger said the valuation of both the state-owned carriers was not good.
"After merger, they will look at all aspects to bring in more money. We don't rule out anything. Ultimately, it has to be based on valuation. IPO does not mean you lose the public sector character. We will give ESOPs to employees also," he said, but added no final decision has been taken.
Regarding the salary structure in the new entity, Patel said it would not be a problem as the airline industry had very high salaries and there would be "no restrictions".
On pending issues of employees including payment of arrears and promotional avenues, he said wage negotiations were going on and "we will find ways to an amicable solution to all pending issues".