VIPs to continue enjoying freebies at airports

Members of Parliament and other VIPs will continue to enjoy facilities like a reserved lounge at international and domestic terminals besides being served tea, coffee and water free of charge at airports.

The government informed the Lok Sabha there was no move to scrap these privileges.

Apart from these they will have free access to the terminal buildings, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in a written reply to a question by P Nagarajan.

Enumerating the facilities extended to the MPs, Raju said the personal staff of the MPs get airport entry pass -- one in New Delhi and another for an airport nearest to their constituencies.

Besides, an airport official is designated as Protocol Officer to ensure that these facilities and courtesies are extended to MPs, Raju said, adding the protocol is to be followed by all concerned, including private airports and airlines.

Responding to a question whether the government had received complaints regarding non-adherence to the protocol at certain airports and airlines during the last three years, the minister said there were complaints mainly about non-cooperation, discourtesy and misbehaviour on the part of the airlines staff and security personnel at airports.

"The complaints received from the Members of Parliament by the airports are referred to the concerned airport directors to enquire into the matter and take remedial measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur," the minister said.

The complaints against the airlines are referred to the Director General of Civil Aviation, who takes up the matter with the concerned airlines with a view to ensuring compliance of the protocol arrangements, Raju said.

Action taken on the complaints is also intimated to the concerned MPs, he said, adding suitable instructions are issued from time to time to all concerned so as to ensure that the courtesies are extended to the MPs.

The minister also said that security arrangements at airports in the country are elaborate, adequate and effective.