Thursday, May 5 2005 09:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress yesterday (May 4, 2005) refused to be dragged into the controversy over Air India's decision to procure 50 Boeing aircraft with its European competitor Airbus seeking a Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) probe into it but said the Government should look into the matter if there was any doubt in it.

"No comments. We have always said national carriers should be promoted. But Government should look into this matter if there is any doubt it," spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters when asked to comment on the demand made by the Airbus.

He said it was a long pending demand that the two national carriers should get adequate fleet of airplanes for their expanding routes as also to maintain the existing ones.

Sharma said that in the last 20 years no planes were purchased by Air India and "over the years many viable routes (commercial) were surrendered by Air India because of lack of airplanes".

Asked about party views on the issue, he said it was not the job of political parties to decide as to which plane would be purchased but of experts related to the field.

Joining issue with its rival, the American manufacturer Boeing yesterday said it was "absolutely incredible" for its European competitor Airbus Industries to seek a CVC probe into the Air India decision to procure 50 Boeing aircrafts.