Air India upgradation row: PMO seeks explanation from Public Enterprises Joint Secretary Ashok Pavadia

New Delhi: The Prime Minister's Office on Friday asked for an explanation from the Public Enterprises Joint Secretary Ashok Pavadia on being upgraded to first class on an international Air India flight as an undue favour and abuse of power.

According to a letter sent by a whistleblower to the Civil Aviation Secretary Som Sundaram on November 1, 2014, a passenger - Joint Secretary in the Heavy Industries Ministry Ashok Pavadia - on flight AI 120 on the sector Frankfurt/Delhi, was illegally upgraded to First Class and assigned seat 1D.

When the crew inquired with the ground staff, they were informed that they had been instructed by the CMD to upgrade Pavadia, an IRTS officer, to First Class at any cost. When the crew informed the ground staff that the said seat was already allotted to another passenger, the Ground Staff told the crew that Pavadia was the CMD's batchmate and had to be upgraded 'at any cost'.

To add more shame to the case, to accommodate Pavadia in the first class, a genuine Star Alliance Member was downgraded to Executive class. Other First Class passengers were reportedly unhappy with the situation on the ground.

Pavadia's behaviour, too, was not up-to the mark. He had constantly sought attention from the crew and kept on asking for certain food items which were not on the menu and demanded to know why those items were not on board.

An embarrassed crew had to cut a very sorry figure with the other First Class passengers due to Pavadia's conduct.

Another incident which also has an implication on Flight Safety of the flight, a passenger - the daughter of the Commander and the ED-CS Ms. Harpreet Singh - on flight AI 191 was taken onto the flight on Jump Seat as all passenger seats were occupied. For take off, rest and landing she was illegally allowed to sit in the cabin crew horizontal rest area by the CIC.

On seeing her there, other passengers too, asked if they could be shifted but their requests were denied. The passengers had voiced their anguish that the lady was allowed to sit while the others were denied.