As government servants, the only way they can be thrown out of their jobs is through activities involving Fraud and invoking vigilance related audits! Simply unbelievable, the length they can go to inconvenience travellers! Maybe a mail to the officers in charge may really help. With Govt of India, everything will be documented! Customer care will think twice before trying to rip someone off. The link with names and email id's is Air India : Vigilance