Aero engine workshop lying unused

Patiala: Punjab government’s aero engine workshop and instruments overhaul lab housed in the hanger of Birmi Academy at Patiala air base has been unused for almost three years.
Meanwhile, the in-charge avionic engineer of the lab also has left the job. Under such circumstances, the flying clubs of the state are forced to carry out the repair of aircraft either in Chennai, Delhi or Mumbai, burdening them with the financial concerns.
Earlier, the aircraft of neighbouring areas too were repaired in this workshop but ever since the hanger was handed over to the Academy, the lab ceased to function. Notably, during the Congress regime, the hanger, earlier allotted to the Northern India Flying Club (NIFC) in Patiala, was allotted to the Academy, apparently to please Malkit Singh Birmi, the then jail minister, leading to the lab no longer being part of the state’s civil aviation department.
According to Vijay Kumar, assistant secretary of the Northern India Flying Club, the lab had machinery worth crores of rupees but it was not utilised. He said that the court had allowed them to use the hanger but the staff of the private academy did not allow anyone inside the hanger. Satpreet Singh, chief ground inspector of the Academy denied the charges.
He said the keys of the lab were with the staff of Northern India Flying Club and no was one ever stopped from entering the hanger.
24/06/07 Times of India