New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recommended departmental action against a London-based deputy commercial director of Air India for failing to make an "accurate" mathematical calculation while increasing the productivity-linked incentive (PLI) of general sales agent (GSA) from five to seven per cent.

Completing its probe, the CBI recommended "regular departmental action with major penalties" against Dileep Rao for failing to make a "correct mathematical calculation of flight reduction from London".

CBI said the "Welcome Travels", which was the GSA of the international flag carrier in London, had asked for a hike in the PLI claiming the traffic from London was coming down very sharply.

The application was forwarded by the regional director in London and subsequently endorsed by the commercial director and sent for approval of the then managing director, Michael Mascarenhas, who was absolved by the agency of all charges after a preliminary enquiry (PE) was registered at the behest of the then Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav.

The CBI recommends "major penalty", "minor penalty" and "such action" if a regular case is not made out after filing of the preliminary enquiry.

CBI had registered a PE on June 7, 2001 to probe the allegations of corruption and irregularities against Air India officials including Mascarenhas following a government direction for a "comprehensive investigation" into the matter.

PTI