CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said Airports Authority of India should be the deciding authority on modernisation of airports in the country and the assets of the airports should not be allowed to reach private hands.
"Yes. Airports in the country need to be modernised. We need state-of-the-art airports that can match the airports in the world. But the process should be done with AAI at the helm of affairs," he told reporters in Chennai after addressing the AAI employees who are on relay fast to protest the Centre's moves to privatise airports.
He said AAI should be allowed to decide how it wants to raise resources, bring in new technology and employ people with expertise.
"Therefore, there should be no transfer of properties to private hands," he said, adding the same was also reflected in the Common Minimum Programme.
There were certain areas (like the air traffic control and security), which should surely not be handed over to private hands, he said.
"This is very crucial to our country and so these conditions should be adhered to," Yehcury added.
