For an airline preoccupied with serious cost-cutting to offset losses since the last four years, the number of director-level posts has doubled from 10 since 1995. Also, with a fleet of just 26 aircraft, the number of general managers (GMs) and additional general managers (AGMs) adds up to a staggering 90, one less than the strength of the Uttar Pradesh ministry! And, that does not include the 142 deputy general managers (DGMs) in the Engineering Department alone.

Hence, by lavishing Rs 48 crore on salaries (minus perks) for its largely superfluous top management cadre every year, the airline has reduced their jobs to a sinecure. ``The airline's management structurecan be summed up in just one word - shapeless,'' say aviation experts, who point out that the company is liable to collapse under its own weight.

In contrast, British Airways, one of the largest airlines in terms of fleet and route network, has a 10-member board, and only 15 personnel in the executive management cadre worldwide. It has a fleet of about 500.

Ironically, despite its elastic senior management, A-I has no dedicated post of Director (Finance) - a crucial position in any company, especially for the loss-making airline. The department is currently being handled by J N Gogoi, Director (Engineering).

Just four years ago, the airline had directors in core departments only, like Commercial, Operations, Human Resources Development, Finance, Engineering and Security. Others, like Public Relations, Civil Works, Information Technology, Medical, Planning and International Relations and Special Projects were headed by general managers. Today, these too have directors at the helm.

Experts blame thetime-bound promotion policy formulated three years ago by former managing director, Brijesh Kumar, for the spurt in the number of DGMs. Under the policy, all AGMs as DGMs are to be promoted within two years.

Also, while A-I's top-management has been widened, its middle-level management remains shortstaffed. For instance, Security, a vital discipline, is run by senior managers while Accounts just has a lone manager at this level.

Another thorn in the employees' side is the key posts given to personnel on deputation from other government organisations. They are appointed for a three-year term, but are eventually absorbed into the airline with steady promotions, A-I sources say. In fact, a writ petition was filed by the Air-India Officers' Association in the Bombay High Court three months ago, challenging the promotion of K K Chaudhary who was deputed to A-I from the Mumbai Customs in 1996 as a Vigilance Officer. While on deputation, Chaudhary, who has since been sent back to his parent organisation, hadbeen promoted by the Customs as Superintendent. Simultaneously, A-I promoted him as Manager (Vigilance).

The steady rise of many deputationists has spawned resentment among general cadre officers, whose promotions have been on hold since 1997. ``At a time when Indian Airlines is shedding superfluous top-level positions, one cannot understand the logic behind A-I's senior management policy. More so, when posts held by personnel appointed for specialised functions are reshuffled illogically,'' an A-I employee told Express Newsline. Director Public Relations, Jitendra Bhargava, who also heads the In-Flight Services Division, however, rubbishes the allegations. ``Employees should thank the promotion policy in the organisation where they get a chance to rise fast,'' he said. ``The allegations against the directors are self-contradictory as I handle three departments alone. The question of having superfluous directors does not arise,'' he maintains. As far as deputationists are concerned, their number isnegligible and their appointments have never created hurdles in the professional enhancement of officers from within the company, he claims.

Still, various employees' unions have taken up this issue with Minister of Civil Aviation, Ananth Kumar, and have sought his intervention to infuse some rationale in the appointment and promotion policy for directors and deputationists. Union representatives also met Chairman P V Kayakrishnan in New Delhi three months ago, and submitted their complaints.