Air India CMD Rohit Nandan may get extension

NEW DELHI: The Modi government is likely to extend the term of Rohit Nandan as Air India's chairman and managing director (CMD). The aviation ministry has asked the UP government to allow Nandan, a UP cadre IAS officer, to stay in the central deputation job as he has already spent five years out of the state. Usually states give an extension of two more years, commonly known as "five plus two" practice in bureaucratic parlance.

"The state has to agree for Nandan's cadre extension. Once their nod comes, we will decide on the issue of extending Nandan's tenure as CMD as well as the terms of the extended tenure," said a senior official. Nandan, an officer with a clean reputation, was appointed AI CMD in August 2011 and is regarded to be the airline's first successful chief in many years.

He joined AI soon after Star Alliance had virtually rejected the airline's bid to be in the fold by putting its application on hold. The alliance recently admitted that the Maharaja had turned a new chapter in past three years and termed it "new AI", while admitting it to the fold last week.

Air India