[New Delhi]Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Preaches Difference Of Courtesy And Privilege At Airports
Central Minister Raju Said that refreshment served to Parliamentarians at Airports Is just a Courtesy And Not a Privilege.
Minister today disapproved of making an issue of privileges to Members of Parliament at various airports, saying serving of free tea+coffee + water to them was just a “courtesy”.
Lamenting that “aviation” has become a “soft target” for “bashing”, the Minister said it has attracted attention for all the wrong reasons when the focus should be on safety and security aspects.
“If a cup tea or glass of water is offered… is that a privilege or a courtesy,” Raju said to queries on the issue of privileges to MPs on the sidelines of a function.
“Tell me what is that an MP gets which a frequent flier does not get. Let us not make a storm in a tea cup,” he said.
Government had recently said that MPs and other VIPs will continue to enjoy facilities like being served tea, coffee and water free of charge at airports besides free access to the terminal building as there was no move to scrap these privileges.
Some of the facilities being provided to the VIPs and Members of Parliament include reserved lounge at domestic and international airports, free access to terminal building and visitors’ gallery; airport entry pass to personal staff of MPs, Raju had informed the Lok Sabha.
Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president, had taken a swipe at Raju saying it was “hypocrisy of the highest limits”.