Officials said the deal entails only the airline and Air India’s non-core assets, such as land, building and other belongings, remain with the government. While Air India has gone back to its original owner, the Tatas.
Its art collection built by JRD Tata is still staying with the government. Sources in the Ministry of Culture said they will try to expedite the process of formal handover. The consequent display of the collection in the Capital.
The focus shifted to the art collection in July 2018 when the proposed sale of Air India’s Nariman Point building started to take shape.
Nariman Point building storehouse :
Some of the works from the collection have been lost, stolen or damaged over time. The works haven’t been opened for several decades after the airline’s fortunes started dipping. They were packed and tucked away in the Nariman Point building storehouse.
The management of the national carrier came under fire for not being able to protect this priceless collection. In June 2017, artist Jatin Das learnt that his 1991 oil painting acquired by Air India. ‘Flying Apsara’, was for sale in the open market for Rs 25 lakh.
Investigations pinned the blame on a former Air India executive. And a complaint was also filed against him for stealing government property.
Subsequently, it was reported that airline was “examining how many more former or serving Air India officials could be in possession of such paintings”.