The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ‘relieved’ four flight operations inspectors, according to a recent government order, amid the ongoing IndiGo crisis.
The DCGA, in its order, stated “FOIs under various categories, on contract basis, in DGCA are hereby relieved from DGCA with immediate effect to join their respective parent organisations”.
These officials were responsible for overseeing airline safety and operational compliance, agencies further noted. The latest woes add to the 12-day crisis surrounding the Indian aviation sector, with IndiGo at its centre. On Thursday, the airline watchdog announced a dedicated DGCA oversight team at IndiGo’s corporate office in Gurugram.
This team consisted of eight members, led by Capt. Vikram Sharma, Deputy Chief Flight Operations Inspector. They are now tasked to monitor fleet strength, crew availability, utilisation hours, unplanned leaves and standby crew for cockpit and cabin staff. Two DGCA team members are to be stationed at the office on a rotational basis, according to the official circular.
IndiGo went on firefighting mode on Thursday by announcing travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to such severely impacted customers over and above the government-mandated compensation. This also came on the same day, agencies reported citing sources, that at least 32 IndiGo arrivals and 28 departures were cancelled from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
IndiGo gets ₹58.75 crore GST notice
Adding to further woes was a tax penalty notice from Additional Commissioner of CGST, Delhi South Commissionerate. According to a regulatory filing, IndiGo parent Interglobe Aviation was slapped a penalty of around Rs 58.75 crore (Rs 58,74,99,439). The amount includes “GST demand along with penalty” pertaining to FY2020-2021, the company noted.
IndiGo parent stated that it “believes that the order passed by the authorities is erroneous.”
“Further, the Company believes that it has a strong case on merits, backed by advice from external tax advisors. Accordingly, the Company will contest the same before the appropriate authority,” it added.
The DGCA seems to be tightening its noose around IndiGo. Pieter Elbers, the airline’s CEO, had appeared in front of a DGCA-constituted inquiry panel on Thursday. Now the watchdog has reportedly summoned Elbers once more to appear before them on Friday.
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