No decision taken to privatise Air India: Government

New Delhi: No decision has been taken to privatise Air India, with the government saying it was close to finalising a short-term strategy to strengthen the burgeoning civil aviation sector, including slashing taxes on jet fuel. "By and large, there is a general feeling that the aviation sector in India is no way near its potential. So we are working on that and trying to achieve that potential... We are working out a short-term strategy, setting some goals for ourselves within the Ministry," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters.

Maj quota of tour firms cut after Saudi move

New Delhi: With Saudi Arabia slashing by 20 percent the Haj quota for all foreign pilgrims this year, the Indian government yesterday decided to reduce the Haj seats of private tour operators.