Everybody is afraid, scared, ashamed: Mamata Banerjee on Air India's leave without pay move

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said Centre was t standing by people amid ecomic downturn due to COVID-19, as she hit out at BJP-led government over Air India's decision to send certain employees on leave without pay for up to five years. She accused central government of taking advant of crisis and tweaking laws and rules to keep on with ir "dictator-like attitude".

"Sometimes, I feel t to say anything against m and work toger to fight COVID-19. But n, I feel sorry that when we are passing through such a critical time and everybody is fighting disease, central government and BJP are taking advant (of it)," chief minister said at a press conference in state secretariat 'Nabanna'.

"y have already amended so many laws without any consultation (with any political parties), so many laws have been changed and whatever y need to maintain ir dictatorship y are doing it. I am shocked," she added.

Slamming Centre over Air India move, she asked what will happen to employees after five years. "What's happening in country? I've never heard of this. Will t Constitution come into play in this case? I am really shocked. How can y snatch democratic rights of people... Five years on leave without pay and after five years where will y go," she said.

"Five years of pay in this situation when people want cash," Banerjee stated.

"Is this manner in which a democratic government works? Everything is lost... Everybody is afraid, scared and ashamed. What will y do?" Banerjee said.

Air India Thursday said it has started process of identifying employees, based on various factors like efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for up to five years. She furr said that central government was t paying heed to advice of senior ecomists to give money into hands of people at this hour of crisis, and instead was allowing FDI in several important sectors such as railways.

"How can y snatch rights of employees of Coal India with 100 per cent FDI? Banks are also been merged," she said.

Banerjee urged all trade unions to unitedly fight against decisions of Centre. "I will appeal to all trade unions, including BJP's, to unitedly stand against this without surrendering... I will request m t to bow ir heads and stay toger to support this cause," she said.