Bound to disinvestment, Air India terminates services of over 400 of its employees who were hired on contractual basis after retirement. These employees were hired for non-technical roles and the move was taken as per the orders of the airline's Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola, Reported PTI.

Last year, the Union Cabinet gave its in-principle approval for disinvestment of Air India and constituted an inter-ministerial group for working on the strategy for the airline's stake sale.

"The CMD has directed that contract of the retired employees under non-technical category (i.e. excluding pilots, flight dispatchers, service engineers, OPT, OTT instructors, flight safety) be terminated with immediate effect," as per a circular issued by Executive Director-Personnel on January 5.

"In case there are cases which cannot be terminated as they are handling critical assignment, proper justification to be put up to CMD for his perusal and approval," as per the order.

PTI reports from another source that there were nearly 412 retired personnel working with the airlines whose services have been discontinued. These employees also include those working with Air India's subsidiary companies such as Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL), Air India Charters Limited, Airline Allied Services Limited and Air India Engineering Services Limited.