TURBULENCE IN AIR

Why is it not surprising to learn that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has no clue what its parent, the ministry of civil aviation, is up to? Sources point out the interesting instance of the DGCA appointing Y. Tongia, a former chief of a flying academy, as chief overseeing training regulations in some 40-odd flying schools. The only problem is that the ministry has recommended that Mr Tonga be examined by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for alleged financial irregularities at his previous place of employment.

Apparently, Mr Tongia’s name was recommended in February 2011 by the UPSC. When the appointment was delayed, Mr Tongia approached the Central Administrative Tribunal and got it cleared. Now, DGCA chief E.K. Bharat Bhushan, to whom Mr Tongia will report, has written to civil aviation secretary, S. Nasim Zaidi, arguing that the IB security clearance for Mr Tongia can be obtained after appointment. Mr Zaidi does not agree and cites a home ministry’s report which denied security clearance to Mr Tongia. Who will prevail?