Air India to clear salaries before Diwali

Air India employees will have a bright Diwali as the national carrier has decided to clear payment of salary to all its employees for the months of September and October 2012 before Diwali.

This is being done on the direction of civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, said a government statement.

It will also make up-to-date payment of productivity linked incentives (PLI) for all licensed category employees for the months of May and June 2012. The Airline will incur an expenditure of Rs 230 crore (Rs 2.3 billion) for payment of salary and Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) for payment of PLI.

"Ajit Singh while expressing concern over welfare of employees has asked Air India to make all efforts in future to make up-to-date payment of salary to the employees", it said.

The balance PLI for non-licensed category employees for the months of May and June 2012 involving an expenditure of Rs 60 crores will be paid by the end of November 2012. PLI has been abolished with effect from July 2012.