59 AIRPORTS OWE ₹735 CR TO CISF, DELHI’S SHARE IS 90%

Country’s premium aviation security force is not getting the money for securing the most sensitive airport of the country. The 59 airports, which are secured by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), owe ₹735.33 crore to the force, 90% (₹655.40 crore) of which is due to non-payment by Delhi airport.

CISF now wants the civil aviation ministry to sort out the matter. The force’s director general, OP Singh, has written to the aviation secretary RN Choubey asking him to instruct the private airport operator and Airports Authority of India for liquidating the outstanding amount.

Though the non-payment doesn’t affect the CISF staff’s salaries, it causes loss to government as Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) owes ₹655.40 crore to the CISF.

“Out of the total pending dues of ₹735.33 crore, an amount of ₹655.40 crore relates to the DIAL alone. The escalating outstanding dues are a matter of grave concern. It also attracts adverse comments from statuary bodies including CAG, Parliamentary Standing Committee relating to home affairs etc,” Singh said.

Sources said till September 2012, there used to be regular payment but after that DIAL started paying less. DIAL collects ₹22-24 crore as passenger security fee.

“As per the state support agreement signed over 10 years ago, we are authorised to collect ₹130 per passenger to reimburse salaries paid to CISF personnel manning our airport. While the average salary of CISF staff has gone up significantly due to Pay Commission recommendations and the number of CISF personnel has nearly doubled since operationalization of the Terminal 3, the per passenger fee has not been revised. This has led to a situation where the funds have increasingly become insufficient to meet salary requirements of CISF. The issue is being taken up by our parent ministry with the ministry of home affairs”: DIAL spokesperson.