New Delhi, Nov 27 (TIWN) Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha that national carrier Air India will have to close down if it is not privatised.

He, however, said that a favourable deal would be ensured for all the employees.

"I will go to that extent and say that," the Minister said replying to a question in the Upper House.

Taking a small pause Puri said that the airline would be closed down if not privatised.

The government is readying the bid document for selling off its entire stake in the national carrier and has set March 31 as deadline for completing the disinvestment process. In earlier attempt, the Modi government had in May, 2018 invited the expression of interest (EoI) to sell 76 per cent of its stake but not a single private party showed interest in the first stage of bidding.