No proof of underworld financing Jet

New Delhi: The Government said on Thursday there was no indication "as of now" about private carrier Jet Airways being financed by the underworld.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said Jet Airways was issued a scheduled operators permit to carry out Scheduled Air Transport services in the country on February 13, 1995 upon meeting the minimum requirements for issuance of such a permit.

"As of now, the security clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs does not indicate any such linkage," he said replying to a question on whether Government had any information that Jet Airways is financed by the underworld.

In reply to another question about the security clearance of Directors of airlines, Patel said few instances have come to the notice of Government when airlines including Jet Airways have appointed Directors without waiting for security clearance.

"These airlines have been strictly advised by the DGCA to be more careful and strictly adhere to the guidelines for appointment of Directors," the minister said, adding at present, all Directors on the Board of Jet Airways had received security clearance.