For the Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh, civil aviation is a very “sensitive sector”. He was speaking after taking charge of the civil aviation ministry on Monday. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief was inducted into the union cabinet on Sunday took charge of ministry.

Singh expressed confidence that he would bring about positive changes in the sector that is going through a lot of challenges. He assured that he will chalk out a roadmap for the industry soon which is going through a turbulent period.

His appointment has come at a time when the aviation sector is struggling but he assured that he will definitely sort things out in the coming months. While taking the charge on the ministry at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, the headquarters of civil aviation  ministry in New Delhi, Singh said, "This is a very sensitive sector and I am taking my time to understand it."

The 72-year-old who took the charge of the ministry from Vayalar Ravi has a major task of drawing a road map to bring the aviation sector out of the financial mess. The industry is struggling due to high jet fuel prices and heavy interest cost.

Singh, a six-time member of the Lok Sabha, has been given the cabinet berth after his party RLD joined hands with the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ahead of Uttar Pradesh upcoming assembly elections.

Singh has the unwavering support of the Jat community of Uttar Pradesh. Singh claimed that the people of Uttar Pradesh now have a "clear-cut alternative" against the "oppressive" Mayawati government after his alliance with Congress.

"Our mind now is on Uttar Pradesh. People of UP are feeling oppressed with the Mayawati government but are now getting an alternative. People have now got a clear-cut alternative," he said.