Congress MP Shafi Parambil introduces private member’s resolution on regulating airfare
The Hindu
Congress MP Shafi Parambil calls for regulation of airfare to prevent exploitation of migrant workers in Gulf countries.
Congress MP Shafi Parambil on Friday moved a private member’s resolution in the Lok Sabha on appropriate measures to regulate airfare.
Mr. Parambil said most migrant workers in the Gulf region were unskilled or semi-skilled with limited income and the unscrupulous increase in airfare during vacation seasons dragged them into a huge debt trap.
The resolution came a day after Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu promised to conduct an inquiry into allegations of abrupt fare hikes when MPs tried to book tickets on Air Vistara, following complaints by MPs and a nudge by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
“During the Question Hour on Thursday, this House, discussed the exorbitant prices and exploitation faced by our expatriates and how theyare being unfairly treated and being burdened,” Mr. Parambil said.
“This House has debated the issue numerous times in the past too, but the Minister’s response yesterday conveyed a genuine intent of action,” he added.
The Congress MP informed that the rates to fly economy class from Kochi to Dubai were ₹19,062 per ticket for July 27 when only four seats were left, while that for August 31 was showing as ₹77,000 when there were nine spots left in the same airline, same flight, and on the same route.
“Recent years have witnessed an exorbitant rise in both domestic and international airfare, especially during the holiday seasons, affecting a large number of passengers. In case of expatriates, most of the migrant workers get leave only during the vacation season and hence the emotional value of uniting with family is most important for them,” the MP said.