After end of AI strike, two unions de-recognised

Mumbai

Hours after crushing the two-day old strike by Air India

employees, the state-owned airline

de-recognised two major trade unions and sealed their offices across the country.

The airline gradually restored normalcy since morning though 25 flights were cancelled for the day.

Erstwhile Indian Airlines

' union Air Corporation Employees' Union (ACEU) and All India Aircraft Engineers' Association (AIAEA) have been de-recognised by the management of National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL) and their

offices have also been sealed, NACIL sources said today. NACIL is the holding company of Air India.

Besides terminating the services of 17 office-bearers of the two Unions last night, the airline suspended 15 engineers. More dismissals and suspensions are likely to follow with highly-placed sources indicating that a total of upto 100 employees would face action.

"The de-recognition order came in last night and their offices have also been sealed," the sources said, as the airline cracked down on the Union leaders.

Dinkar Shetty, a leader of the ACEU, said they were waiting for a formal communication from the management regarding termination and suspension before deciding on the future course of action.

ACEU and AIAEA had gone on a flash-strike on Tuesday to protest a 'gag order' directing the office-bearers of NACIL trade union to refrain from making public statements and harming the image of the company.

The Unions were demanding immediate withdrawal of the 'gag order'. But the Management claimed there was only a general circular which has been upheld by the Mumbai High Court and that there was no such 'gag order.'

The strike led to cancellation of 130 flights affecting 13,000 passengers. Besides, NACIL also incurred losses to the tune of Rs 10 crore due to the strike.

Shortly after the strike was called off, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the kind of behaviour shown by the striking employees cannot be tolerated repeatedly. "Whoever did it are absolutely irresponsible," he said.

The strike was called off following a Delhi High Court order yesterday. The Government had also turned the heat on the striking employees giving a free hand to Air India management to take stern action against them. About 20,000 employees belonging to ACEU and AIAEA had gone on strike, according to the Unions. The striking employees accounted for roughly 60 per cent of the airline's staff.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

After end of AI strike, two unions de-recognised

Mumbai

Hours after crushing the two-day old strike by Air India

employees, the state-owned airline

de-recognised two major trade unions and sealed their offices across the country.

The airline gradually restored normalcy since morning though 25 flights were cancelled for the day.

Erstwhile Indian Airlines

' union Air Corporation Employees' Union (ACEU) and All India Aircraft Engineers' Association (AIAEA) have been de-recognised by the management of National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL) and their

offices have also been sealed, NACIL sources said today. NACIL is the holding company of Air India.

Besides terminating the services of 17 office-bearers of the two Unions last night, the airline suspended 15 engineers. More dismissals and suspensions are likely to follow with highly-placed sources indicating that a total of upto 100 employees would face action.

"The de-recognition order came in last night and their offices have also been sealed," the sources said, as the airline cracked down on the Union leaders.

Dinkar Shetty, a leader of the ACEU, said they were waiting for a formal communication from the management regarding termination and suspension before deciding on the future course of action.

ACEU and AIAEA had gone on a flash-strike on Tuesday to protest a 'gag order' directing the office-bearers of NACIL trade union to refrain from making public statements and harming the image of the company.

The Unions were demanding immediate withdrawal of the 'gag order'. But the Management claimed there was only a general circular which has been upheld by the Mumbai High Court and that there was no such 'gag order.'

The strike led to cancellation of 130 flights affecting 13,000 passengers. Besides, NACIL also incurred losses to the tune of Rs 10 crore due to the strike.

Shortly after the strike was called off, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the kind of behaviour shown by the striking employees cannot be tolerated repeatedly. "Whoever did it are absolutely irresponsible," he said.

The strike was called off following a Delhi High Court order yesterday. The Government had also turned the heat on the striking employees giving a free hand to Air India management to take stern action against them. About 20,000 employees belonging to ACEU and AIAEA had gone on strike, according to the Unions. The striking employees accounted for roughly 60 per cent of the airline's staff.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Six killed in Russia blast

At least six people were killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast that rattled Russia's southern city Starvropol, officials said.

The toll in Wednesday's terrorist attack reached six when a ten-year-old girl died in a hospital, a local official told RIA Novosti.

More than 40 people were injured in the blast, which took place outside the city's House of Culture and Sport ahead of a Chechen band's concert.

Stavropol Territory Governor Valery Gayevsky said the terrorist attack was aimed at shattering national unity.

A top regional investigator, Yekaterina Danilova, said the explosion was equivalent to 0.2 kg of TNT.

Stavropol is the largest region in the North Caucasus Federal District and hosts its administration, but has remained largely free of the violence in the neighbouring republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan.

Read more »

Posted in: International

Six killed in Russia blast

At least six people were killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast that rattled Russia's southern city Starvropol, officials said.

The toll in Wednesday's terrorist attack reached six when a ten-year-old girl died in a hospital, a local official told RIA Novosti.

More than 40 people were injured in the blast, which took place outside the city's House of Culture and Sport ahead of a Chechen band's concert.

Stavropol Territory Governor Valery Gayevsky said the terrorist attack was aimed at shattering national unity.

A top regional investigator, Yekaterina Danilova, said the explosion was equivalent to 0.2 kg of TNT.

Stavropol is the largest region in the North Caucasus Federal District and hosts its administration, but has remained largely free of the violence in the neighbouring republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan.

Read more »

Posted in: International

Day after strike, Air India seeks to restore normalcy

National carrier Air India was on Thursday struggling to restore normal operations after a two-day wildcat strike by 15,000 employees and said it would take another two days for flight schedules to get regular.

An airline spokesperson said 78 schedules - domestic and international - have been slotted on Thursday and more will be pressed into service next day to clear the backlog caused by the strike that had stranded thousands of passengers in India and overseas.

"There were a few cancellations from New Delhi and Kolkata this morning, but as far as Mumbai was concerned, we have been able to operate all our flights as usual," an Air India spokesperson said in Mumbai.

"Two early morning flights to Ahmedabad could also not be operated. But they had minimal load, which was transferred to other flights operating from the international terminal."

The strike, the airline said, had led to over 100 flight cancellations and a loss of Rs 12 crore (Rs 120 million/$2.5 million) for the carrier, even as 13,000 passengers were inconvenienced.

The strike was finally called off after the Delhi High Court restrained the unions - protesting what they said was a management gag order on them against speaking to the media - from proceeding with their agitation till July 13.

This time around, the Air India management, backed by the government, also sacked at least 15 union leaders for instigating the stir for reasons they said were flimsy and out of context. Services of 17 others were suspended.

"Whatever action has to be taken, we have to go the whole hog," Air India Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav said, hours after the Delhi High Court order, adding that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had fully backed their stand.

"We will ensure that such an event is not repeated in future," Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar added, indicating that the airline may start the process of derecognising some unions.

The unions, however, have decided to take up the matter with Chief Labour Commissioner SK Mukhopadhyay, who was mediating on behalf of the two sides and had assured that there would be no victimisation.

The sudden strike had further dented the image of the national carrier that had come under a cloud because of reports of poor safety standards in the light of the Mangalore air crash and overall deterioration in services due to accumulated losses that topped $2.5 billion.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Day after strike, Air India seeks to restore normalcy

National carrier Air India was on Thursday struggling to restore normal operations after a two-day wildcat strike by 15,000 employees and said it would take another two days for flight schedules to get regular.

An airline spokesperson said 78 schedules - domestic and international - have been slotted on Thursday and more will be pressed into service next day to clear the backlog caused by the strike that had stranded thousands of passengers in India and overseas.

"There were a few cancellations from New Delhi and Kolkata this morning, but as far as Mumbai was concerned, we have been able to operate all our flights as usual," an Air India spokesperson said in Mumbai.

"Two early morning flights to Ahmedabad could also not be operated. But they had minimal load, which was transferred to other flights operating from the international terminal."

The strike, the airline said, had led to over 100 flight cancellations and a loss of Rs 12 crore (Rs 120 million/$2.5 million) for the carrier, even as 13,000 passengers were inconvenienced.

The strike was finally called off after the Delhi High Court restrained the unions - protesting what they said was a management gag order on them against speaking to the media - from proceeding with their agitation till July 13.

This time around, the Air India management, backed by the government, also sacked at least 15 union leaders for instigating the stir for reasons they said were flimsy and out of context. Services of 17 others were suspended.

"Whatever action has to be taken, we have to go the whole hog," Air India Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav said, hours after the Delhi High Court order, adding that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had fully backed their stand.

"We will ensure that such an event is not repeated in future," Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar added, indicating that the airline may start the process of derecognising some unions.

The unions, however, have decided to take up the matter with Chief Labour Commissioner SK Mukhopadhyay, who was mediating on behalf of the two sides and had assured that there would be no victimisation.

The sudden strike had further dented the image of the national carrier that had come under a cloud because of reports of poor safety standards in the light of the Mangalore air crash and overall deterioration in services due to accumulated losses that topped $2.5 billion.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

India angry over visa row, warns Canada of retaliation

In view of Canada denying visa to Indian army officers, the Home Ministry has written to the External Affairs Ministry, asking it to take up the issue strongly with the Canadian High Commission.

The Home Ministry wants the Canadian High Commission to apologise, withdraw the comments and take action against the officers responsible for such behaviour.

Canada denied visas to a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, three serving Brigadiers, a retired Lt General and a former senior IB official on the grounds that their organisations have been engaging in violence.

A serving Intelligence Bureau officer, assigned to travel to Toronto in connection with the Prime Minister’s trip there next month, was also denied visa recently but was later allowed to travel after protest from India.

The denial of visas, over the last two years, has angered the Home Ministry which has warned that India would also “retaliate” by denying visas to Canadian officials who go to Afghanistan via this country.

Lt Gen (retd) A S Bahia, a decorated Indian military officer who is now a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal in Chandigarh, was refused visa in May this year, contending that he had served in a “sensitive location” of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bahia, who retired as the Quarter Master General (QMG) on April 30, 2006, told PTI over phone that he had brought the matter to the notice of appropriate authorities.

In another revelation, two Brigadiers were denied visas in 2008 and another in 2009. A retired Lt General R N Bhatia was also refused visa in 2008 on the similar grounds.

S S Sidhu, a retired IB officer, was denied visa on March 26 this year, with the Canadian High Commission saying that he belonged to the “inadmissible” category of persons.

The rejection letter said he could not be given visa as he had served in an organisation like IB and that led to apprehension that he could “engage in an act of espionage or subversion”, or “violence that would or might endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada.”

Sidhu termed it as a “disgusting reply from a friendly country like Canada and an insult to India.”
He said he wanted to go to Canada just to see the new house of his daughter.

These revelations came four days after a case of denial of visa to a retired BSF constable came to light. He had been refused visa on similar grounds.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

India angry over visa row, warns Canada of retaliation

In view of Canada denying visa to Indian army officers, the Home Ministry has written to the External Affairs Ministry, asking it to take up the issue strongly with the Canadian High Commission.

The Home Ministry wants the Canadian High Commission to apologise, withdraw the comments and take action against the officers responsible for such behaviour.

Canada denied visas to a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, three serving Brigadiers, a retired Lt General and a former senior IB official on the grounds that their organisations have been engaging in violence.

A serving Intelligence Bureau officer, assigned to travel to Toronto in connection with the Prime Minister’s trip there next month, was also denied visa recently but was later allowed to travel after protest from India.

The denial of visas, over the last two years, has angered the Home Ministry which has warned that India would also “retaliate” by denying visas to Canadian officials who go to Afghanistan via this country.

Lt Gen (retd) A S Bahia, a decorated Indian military officer who is now a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal in Chandigarh, was refused visa in May this year, contending that he had served in a “sensitive location” of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bahia, who retired as the Quarter Master General (QMG) on April 30, 2006, told PTI over phone that he had brought the matter to the notice of appropriate authorities.

In another revelation, two Brigadiers were denied visas in 2008 and another in 2009. A retired Lt General R N Bhatia was also refused visa in 2008 on the similar grounds.

S S Sidhu, a retired IB officer, was denied visa on March 26 this year, with the Canadian High Commission saying that he belonged to the “inadmissible” category of persons.

The rejection letter said he could not be given visa as he had served in an organisation like IB and that led to apprehension that he could “engage in an act of espionage or subversion”, or “violence that would or might endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada.”

Sidhu termed it as a “disgusting reply from a friendly country like Canada and an insult to India.”
He said he wanted to go to Canada just to see the new house of his daughter.

These revelations came four days after a case of denial of visa to a retired BSF constable came to light. He had been refused visa on similar grounds.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Driver lucky to pull up in time to avoid pram

The driver of a Melbourne train that hit a baby in a pram on the tracks yesterday says it was lucky the train pulled up as quickly as it did.

The 15-month-old baby boy suffered cuts and bruising to his face after being dragged up to 10 metres face down in his double pram at the Taroonga train station.

The boy is in a stable condition at the Royal Children's Hospital.

The child was with his grandmother and three-year-old brother when the pram rolled off the platform and into the path of an oncoming train.

Security cameras captured the incident as the pram rolled off the platform.

Driver Steve Ryan says there was a lot of luck involved because on the X'Trapolis train, there is a lot of open space at the front.

"The pram hit the iron guard at an angle and that was just plain lucky," he said.

"The train really did pull up quickly."

Mr Ryan said he gave his kids a hug when he got home last night.

"I have a grand daughter the same age and I'd do anything to save my grandkids. I treated this boy exactly the same," he said.

He said drivers are trained to respond to this type of incident.

"When it does [happen], your instincts just kick in," he said.

"Whenever I approach a platform, I always look out for school kids and prams."

Ambulance officers on the scene said it was amazing the child was not more seriously injured.

Victorian Premier John Brumby says it is miraculous that the child survived.

He says the Government will examine the issue to to see if changes need to be made in the design of prams.

"I think many people's minds are focused on what changes could be made including perhaps even pram design. it's every parent's worst fear," he said.

"Maybe they need a deadman's brake. I don't know."

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Driver lucky to pull up in time to avoid pram

The driver of a Melbourne train that hit a baby in a pram on the tracks yesterday says it was lucky the train pulled up as quickly as it did.

The 15-month-old baby boy suffered cuts and bruising to his face after being dragged up to 10 metres face down in his double pram at the Taroonga train station.

The boy is in a stable condition at the Royal Children's Hospital.

The child was with his grandmother and three-year-old brother when the pram rolled off the platform and into the path of an oncoming train.

Security cameras captured the incident as the pram rolled off the platform.

Driver Steve Ryan says there was a lot of luck involved because on the X'Trapolis train, there is a lot of open space at the front.

"The pram hit the iron guard at an angle and that was just plain lucky," he said.

"The train really did pull up quickly."

Mr Ryan said he gave his kids a hug when he got home last night.

"I have a grand daughter the same age and I'd do anything to save my grandkids. I treated this boy exactly the same," he said.

He said drivers are trained to respond to this type of incident.

"When it does [happen], your instincts just kick in," he said.

"Whenever I approach a platform, I always look out for school kids and prams."

Ambulance officers on the scene said it was amazing the child was not more seriously injured.

Victorian Premier John Brumby says it is miraculous that the child survived.

He says the Government will examine the issue to to see if changes need to be made in the design of prams.

"I think many people's minds are focused on what changes could be made including perhaps even pram design. it's every parent's worst fear," he said.

"Maybe they need a deadman's brake. I don't know."

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Meet the Brit woman who has sex for babies to boost her £20K benefits!

London, May 25 (ANI): A British woman has revealed that she is looking into having casual sex only so she can have babies and increase the 20,000 pounds benefits she is already getting.

Natalie Taylor, 29, who is a single mom with four kids by three dads, claims she has never had a job as she cannot afford to work, and that she wants to bed more men so she can double her family.

“I’d love to get a job, but I’d be 50p a week worse off if I worked,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“My dad works for the Post Office and my brother’s a mechanic, so the tax they pay covers my kids,” she said.

She also claims that she sleeps around because she is “addicted” to being pregnant.

“I’d be pregnant all the time if I could. I’d like to have four more kids,” she said.

“Unless Mr Perfect comes along, I’ll sleep with strangers to have more babies. Some people won’t agree with the way I do things, but I don’t have regrets. I’m excited about my next mission.

“My hair and nails look nicer when I’m pregnant. I love being a mum – I’m addicted. I don’t worry what my kids will think about me, I know they’ll love me as much as I love them,” she stated.

Taylor, who lives in an East Sussex council house, gets 250 pounds a week income support plus 344 pounds a month housing benefit, 80 pounds a month council tax relief and 240 pounds a month in child benefit.

But she claims life is a “financial struggle”, despite driving a 1,200 pounds seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira and having regular beauty treatments.

Taylor said she had begged strangers for sex to get pregnant with Charity, now five months old, and one man, a jobless, dope-smoking “bum”, granted her wish in the back of a Nissan Micra.

“Men are only good for one thing, giving me babies. When I split with my last boyfriend I had three children by two dads,” she added.

Read more »

Posted in: International

Meet the Brit woman who has sex for babies to boost her £20K benefits!

London, May 25 (ANI): A British woman has revealed that she is looking into having casual sex only so she can have babies and increase the 20,000 pounds benefits she is already getting.

Natalie Taylor, 29, who is a single mom with four kids by three dads, claims she has never had a job as she cannot afford to work, and that she wants to bed more men so she can double her family.

“I’d love to get a job, but I’d be 50p a week worse off if I worked,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“My dad works for the Post Office and my brother’s a mechanic, so the tax they pay covers my kids,” she said.

She also claims that she sleeps around because she is “addicted” to being pregnant.

“I’d be pregnant all the time if I could. I’d like to have four more kids,” she said.

“Unless Mr Perfect comes along, I’ll sleep with strangers to have more babies. Some people won’t agree with the way I do things, but I don’t have regrets. I’m excited about my next mission.

“My hair and nails look nicer when I’m pregnant. I love being a mum – I’m addicted. I don’t worry what my kids will think about me, I know they’ll love me as much as I love them,” she stated.

Taylor, who lives in an East Sussex council house, gets 250 pounds a week income support plus 344 pounds a month housing benefit, 80 pounds a month council tax relief and 240 pounds a month in child benefit.

But she claims life is a “financial struggle”, despite driving a 1,200 pounds seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira and having regular beauty treatments.

Taylor said she had begged strangers for sex to get pregnant with Charity, now five months old, and one man, a jobless, dope-smoking “bum”, granted her wish in the back of a Nissan Micra.

“Men are only good for one thing, giving me babies. When I split with my last boyfriend I had three children by two dads,” she added.

Read more »

Posted in: International

Air India crew, engineers on flash strike; 16 flights cancelled

NEW DELHI: Air India's operations were severely affected on Tuesday with at least 16 flights, including five international services, being cancelled as over 16,000 staffers went on a flash strike across the country to protest delay in payment of salaries.

Several other flights were delayed, many of them by over an hour, as the strike from 1230 hours spread in major metro cities with employees walking out of their offices and organising demonstrations to press for their demands.

Air India had last week decided to delay the May salaries by a week.

The international flights cancelled were those from Delhi to Jeddah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai (two flights) and one from Amritsar to London, Air India officials said.

Domestic services from Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai were also affected. Among the flights delayed was one from Coimbatore to Chennai, which flew in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi after a two-hour delay.

In Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel held a meeting with Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav to take stock of the situation, official sources said.

They said the airline was planning to curtail operations from tomorrow primarily due to shortage of cabin crew and engineers. Many of the flights between major metros were combined today in face of the agitation.

In Delhi, the airline offered full refund to passengers travelling by flights that were cancelled while those in transit were given hotel accommodation and local transport.

While senior officials said the management had invited leaders of the Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) for talks, its General Secretary J B Kadian told PTI this evening that no such invitation has yet been received.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the "gag order", he said the ground staff, cabin crew and engineers, mostly belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines, were participating in the strike.

Kadian said no communication has also been received from the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner.

Besides the ACEU which claims representation of 12,000 members of the erstwhile Indian Airlines including ground- handling and technical staff and cabin crew, the All India Aircraft Engineers Association has also joined the strike.

The ACEU had served a strike notice on the management and the Chief Labour Commissioner on May 15 against Air India's decision to defer salary payments. However, that notice had called for a strike from May 31.

The unions belonging to the international wing of Air India have not gone on strike on the issue so far.

In Mumbai, All India Cabin Crew Association General Secretary Sanjay Lazar said in a statement that none of its members were participating in the agitation. He, however, demanded withdrawal of the "gag order" saying it was violative of the Constitution.

The Air India management appealed to the agitators to return to work at "this hour of crisis" following Saturday's air crash that claimed 158 lives.

Confirming cancellation and delays of several flights across different regions, an official statement said Air India was "making every possible effort to maintain normalcy in operations".

"The airline has been able to operate 116 of the 123 scheduled flights on the network till 1430 hours. While there have been four cancellations, some flights have been delayed or combined," it said, adding there had been dislocations at some non-Metro airports.

Referring to the tragic accident, the airline said, "In this hour of crisis, the Management earnestly appeals to all sections of employees to join hands to strengthen the airline and maintain high performance to show that Air India can cope up with any emergency."

Maintaining it had mustered all available resources to minimise the impact on the scheduled operations, it extended "unqualified apology to the passengers who have faced or may be facing inconveniences due to the dislocated operations".

The controversial circular, issued last evening, said "instances have come to the notice (of the management) that contrary to instruction issued under office order HQ-81-3/360 July 2009, 13 employees of the company holding positions of office-bearers of unions/associations/guild are freely airing their views to the media despite channels of communication existing with the company to voice their grievances.

"Employees concerned are advised to forthwith refrain from going public with their statements that have the potential to harm the company's image and revenue prospects, failing which action as deemed appropriate will be taken," it said.

Reports from Chennai, Bhubaneshwar and other places said the delays and cancellations of flights left hundreds of passengers stranded.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Air India crew, engineers on flash strike; 16 flights cancelled

NEW DELHI: Air India's operations were severely affected on Tuesday with at least 16 flights, including five international services, being cancelled as over 16,000 staffers went on a flash strike across the country to protest delay in payment of salaries.

Several other flights were delayed, many of them by over an hour, as the strike from 1230 hours spread in major metro cities with employees walking out of their offices and organising demonstrations to press for their demands.

Air India had last week decided to delay the May salaries by a week.

The international flights cancelled were those from Delhi to Jeddah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai (two flights) and one from Amritsar to London, Air India officials said.

Domestic services from Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai were also affected. Among the flights delayed was one from Coimbatore to Chennai, which flew in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi after a two-hour delay.

In Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel held a meeting with Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav to take stock of the situation, official sources said.

They said the airline was planning to curtail operations from tomorrow primarily due to shortage of cabin crew and engineers. Many of the flights between major metros were combined today in face of the agitation.

In Delhi, the airline offered full refund to passengers travelling by flights that were cancelled while those in transit were given hotel accommodation and local transport.

While senior officials said the management had invited leaders of the Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) for talks, its General Secretary J B Kadian told PTI this evening that no such invitation has yet been received.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the "gag order", he said the ground staff, cabin crew and engineers, mostly belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines, were participating in the strike.

Kadian said no communication has also been received from the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner.

Besides the ACEU which claims representation of 12,000 members of the erstwhile Indian Airlines including ground- handling and technical staff and cabin crew, the All India Aircraft Engineers Association has also joined the strike.

The ACEU had served a strike notice on the management and the Chief Labour Commissioner on May 15 against Air India's decision to defer salary payments. However, that notice had called for a strike from May 31.

The unions belonging to the international wing of Air India have not gone on strike on the issue so far.

In Mumbai, All India Cabin Crew Association General Secretary Sanjay Lazar said in a statement that none of its members were participating in the agitation. He, however, demanded withdrawal of the "gag order" saying it was violative of the Constitution.

The Air India management appealed to the agitators to return to work at "this hour of crisis" following Saturday's air crash that claimed 158 lives.

Confirming cancellation and delays of several flights across different regions, an official statement said Air India was "making every possible effort to maintain normalcy in operations".

"The airline has been able to operate 116 of the 123 scheduled flights on the network till 1430 hours. While there have been four cancellations, some flights have been delayed or combined," it said, adding there had been dislocations at some non-Metro airports.

Referring to the tragic accident, the airline said, "In this hour of crisis, the Management earnestly appeals to all sections of employees to join hands to strengthen the airline and maintain high performance to show that Air India can cope up with any emergency."

Maintaining it had mustered all available resources to minimise the impact on the scheduled operations, it extended "unqualified apology to the passengers who have faced or may be facing inconveniences due to the dislocated operations".

The controversial circular, issued last evening, said "instances have come to the notice (of the management) that contrary to instruction issued under office order HQ-81-3/360 July 2009, 13 employees of the company holding positions of office-bearers of unions/associations/guild are freely airing their views to the media despite channels of communication existing with the company to voice their grievances.

"Employees concerned are advised to forthwith refrain from going public with their statements that have the potential to harm the company's image and revenue prospects, failing which action as deemed appropriate will be taken," it said.

Reports from Chennai, Bhubaneshwar and other places said the delays and cancellations of flights left hundreds of passengers stranded.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Jail for Rathore is common man's victory: Aradhana

Chandigarh: "It's a victory for the common man," said Aradhana Gupta, the only witness in Ruchika molestation case, after Tuesday’s court verdict enhancing the jail term of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore.

Speaking from Sydney, Ruchika's friend, Gupta said, it is all due to public support that Ruchika has got justice.

"I am so happy about it. I really appreciate the judiciary for putting Rathore behind the bar. But certainly I am not very happy because we were expecting two years as the crime was committed by a police official and not by a commoner," Gupta said.

"We should take it as a first step towards justice and certainly the case under Section 306 IPC (abetment to suicide) and other charges against him are yet to come up. Rathore will be punished for whatever crimes he has committed in these years, harassing the Girhotra family and ruining the career of Ruchika's brother. Certainly that still has to come," she told a news channel.

"We certainly take it as a victory. We have been waiting long for the culprit to be punished," she said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Jail for Rathore is common man's victory: Aradhana

Chandigarh: "It's a victory for the common man," said Aradhana Gupta, the only witness in Ruchika molestation case, after Tuesday’s court verdict enhancing the jail term of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore.

Speaking from Sydney, Ruchika's friend, Gupta said, it is all due to public support that Ruchika has got justice.

"I am so happy about it. I really appreciate the judiciary for putting Rathore behind the bar. But certainly I am not very happy because we were expecting two years as the crime was committed by a police official and not by a commoner," Gupta said.

"We should take it as a first step towards justice and certainly the case under Section 306 IPC (abetment to suicide) and other charges against him are yet to come up. Rathore will be punished for whatever crimes he has committed in these years, harassing the Girhotra family and ruining the career of Ruchika's brother. Certainly that still has to come," she told a news channel.

"We certainly take it as a victory. We have been waiting long for the culprit to be punished," she said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Kites opens in Top 10 at US Box Office

Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and Mexican star Barbara Mori's action-romance Kites has become the first Bollywood film to debut in the North American top ten on opening weekend flying into the number ten spot.

Released by Reliance Big Pictures, the Rakesh Roshan-produced film grossed an estimated USD 1 million for the period of May 21-23, ranking just behind the ninth-place film How to Train Your Dragon which has grossed over USD 210 million.

Directed by Anurag Basu, Kites has been praised by US film critics and has generated the most number of mainstream reviews ever for a Bollywood film on opening day.

It has earned an exceptionally high 85 percent score on RottenTomatoes.com, a popular film review aggregator website in US.

In India, Kites soared to the second biggest opening day gross in history trailing only 3 Idiots. In addition, the film has opened at number five at the UK box office.

This Friday, on May 28, an international version of the film titled Kites- The Remix will open in select theaters in US.

It is presented by Hollywood filmmaker Brett Ratner, focuses more on the action and runs 90 minutes in length.

Some theaters across North America will be playing both versions simultaneously giving fans a choice in their viewing experience.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Kites opens in Top 10 at US Box Office

Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and Mexican star Barbara Mori's action-romance Kites has become the first Bollywood film to debut in the North American top ten on opening weekend flying into the number ten spot.

Released by Reliance Big Pictures, the Rakesh Roshan-produced film grossed an estimated USD 1 million for the period of May 21-23, ranking just behind the ninth-place film How to Train Your Dragon which has grossed over USD 210 million.

Directed by Anurag Basu, Kites has been praised by US film critics and has generated the most number of mainstream reviews ever for a Bollywood film on opening day.

It has earned an exceptionally high 85 percent score on RottenTomatoes.com, a popular film review aggregator website in US.

In India, Kites soared to the second biggest opening day gross in history trailing only 3 Idiots. In addition, the film has opened at number five at the UK box office.

This Friday, on May 28, an international version of the film titled Kites- The Remix will open in select theaters in US.

It is presented by Hollywood filmmaker Brett Ratner, focuses more on the action and runs 90 minutes in length.

Some theaters across North America will be playing both versions simultaneously giving fans a choice in their viewing experience.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

Sensex up 280 pts on Ambani brothers peace pact

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Monday surged by almost 280 points in opening trade on Ambani brothers dumping their differences to take a step towards reconciliation in their long-running feud.

The 30-share index, which lost 74.07 points in the previous trading session, shot up by 279.30 points, or 1.69 per cent to 16,724.91 in the opening trade.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained the 5,000-points level by rising 89.50 points, or 1.81 per cent, to 5,020.65 points.

Brokers said trading sentiment turned better after the Ambani brothers agreed to cancel existing non-compete agreements, triggering widespread buying, led by Reliance Industries stocks.

Besides, weekend rally on the US markets, which edged 1.35 per cent higher, also influenced the sentiment, they added.

Stocks of heavyweight Reliance Industries turned bullish and recorded a rise of 3.64 per cent to Rs 1,032, while that of RNRL shot up 21.17 per cent to 53.90. Reliance Infra gathered 7.40 per cent to Rs 1,061.60.

Rcom shot up 4.84 per cent to Rs 139.85, Infosys Technologies by 0.03 per cent to Rs 2,587, Sterlite Industries by 1.59 per cent to Rs 651.95, Tata Motors by 2.77 per cent to Rs 730 and Tata Steel by 2.01 per cent to Rs 519.65.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Sensex up 280 pts on Ambani brothers peace pact

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Monday surged by almost 280 points in opening trade on Ambani brothers dumping their differences to take a step towards reconciliation in their long-running feud.

The 30-share index, which lost 74.07 points in the previous trading session, shot up by 279.30 points, or 1.69 per cent to 16,724.91 in the opening trade.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained the 5,000-points level by rising 89.50 points, or 1.81 per cent, to 5,020.65 points.

Brokers said trading sentiment turned better after the Ambani brothers agreed to cancel existing non-compete agreements, triggering widespread buying, led by Reliance Industries stocks.

Besides, weekend rally on the US markets, which edged 1.35 per cent higher, also influenced the sentiment, they added.

Stocks of heavyweight Reliance Industries turned bullish and recorded a rise of 3.64 per cent to Rs 1,032, while that of RNRL shot up 21.17 per cent to 53.90. Reliance Infra gathered 7.40 per cent to Rs 1,061.60.

Rcom shot up 4.84 per cent to Rs 139.85, Infosys Technologies by 0.03 per cent to Rs 2,587, Sterlite Industries by 1.59 per cent to Rs 651.95, Tata Motors by 2.77 per cent to Rs 730 and Tata Steel by 2.01 per cent to Rs 519.65.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge and it is imperative to control left-wing extremism for the country's growth.

His government has not underestimated the problem of Naxalism, Singh said at a national press conference here to mark the completion of one year of UPA-II in office.

"I have been saying for the last three years that Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country," he said.

Asked if his government had underestimated the Naxals, he said, "We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism."

He said there was no difference of opinion between the Central and the state governments on the issue of left-wing extremism.

"I have spoken to the Chief Ministers of the states many times on the Naxal issue. The Chief Ministers understand that it is imperative to control Naxalism for the country's growth," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said to exploit full benefit of economic reforms, it is important to control Naxalism and terrorist elements. "If we don't, it can affect our growth," he said.

On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister said the government is determined to squarely tackle the threat of terrorism and ideological extremism of various kinds.

He said that terrorism is a major national security issue and it has no religion.

Terrorism, he said, is being sponsored by particular religious elements and has to be dealt with "effectively" and "purposefully".

Trust deficit is the biggest problem with Pakistan and no progress can happen in negotiations unless this issue is addressed, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

"Trust deficit is the biggest problem," he said at the first major press conference to mark the first year of the second term of the United Progressive Alliance government.

"It is my conviction that ... why we haven't been able to make headway in composite dialogue is that there has been lack of adequate trust," he said.

Singh said trust deficit was identified as a core issue when he met his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani in Bhutan last month.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge and it is imperative to control left-wing extremism for the country's growth.

His government has not underestimated the problem of Naxalism, Singh said at a national press conference here to mark the completion of one year of UPA-II in office.

"I have been saying for the last three years that Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country," he said.

Asked if his government had underestimated the Naxals, he said, "We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism."

He said there was no difference of opinion between the Central and the state governments on the issue of left-wing extremism.

"I have spoken to the Chief Ministers of the states many times on the Naxal issue. The Chief Ministers understand that it is imperative to control Naxalism for the country's growth," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said to exploit full benefit of economic reforms, it is important to control Naxalism and terrorist elements. "If we don't, it can affect our growth," he said.

On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister said the government is determined to squarely tackle the threat of terrorism and ideological extremism of various kinds.

He said that terrorism is a major national security issue and it has no religion.

Terrorism, he said, is being sponsored by particular religious elements and has to be dealt with "effectively" and "purposefully".

Trust deficit is the biggest problem with Pakistan and no progress can happen in negotiations unless this issue is addressed, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

"Trust deficit is the biggest problem," he said at the first major press conference to mark the first year of the second term of the United Progressive Alliance government.

"It is my conviction that ... why we haven't been able to make headway in composite dialogue is that there has been lack of adequate trust," he said.

Singh said trust deficit was identified as a core issue when he met his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani in Bhutan last month.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Ambanis end non-compete pact in reconciliation bid

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's billionaire Ambani brothers took a step towards reconciliation in their long-running feud on Sunday, ending non-compete agreements in a move they hoped would lead to cooperation between the two groups.

Both groups said they aim to reach a conclusion soon for a gas supply agreement between Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries (RIL) and younger brother Anil's Reliance Natural Resources that had been at the heart of their dispute.

The brothers will now be free to compete on each other's turf, with the exception of gas-fired power plants, removing a source of friction between the two conglomerates and potentially giving a lift to shares in both groups.

"RIL and Reliance ADA Group are hopeful and confident that all these steps will create an overall environment of harmony, co-operation and collaboration between the two groups," they both said on Sunday.

The statement comes two weeks after the Supreme Court ruled in Mukesh Ambani's favour in a bitter public dispute over gas pricing that had riven India's richest family and raised questions about the role of big business in government policy.

While the feud had captivated the attention of India it had been a major distraction for both groups and the government.

"This gives more clarity, less ambiguity. In the last few years, the two brothers have spent more time in court, now they can concentrate on their businesses," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, equity head at SMC Capital in New Delhi.

"The speed with the two brothers have reached a solution is slightly fascinating, because everybody expected it to be long-drawn process. There might be a relief rally in both groups' stocks tomorrow as it removes ambiguity," he added.

Reliance Industries, India's largest listed firm, and Anil's Reliance ADA Group said they agreed to cancel all existing non-compete pacts the groups had signed in 2006 and entered into a new non-compete pact only for gas-based power generation.

"This is more positive for Reliance Industries than R-ADAG group, because this gives Reliance an opportunity to look into expansion in other areas," said S.P. Tulsian, an independent investment consultant. "You can't rule out the possibility of Reliance entering in sectors such as telecom," he said.

FAMILY FEUD

The two brothers are estimated to be worth a combined $43 billion and both live in Mumbai but had not been on speaking terms during their dispute. They split the business empire inherited from their father Dhirubhai Ambani in a 2005 deal brokered by their homemaker mother, Kokilaben.

Mukesh, 53, got the jewel -- Reliance Industries, which has interests in oil and gas exploration, petrochemicals, infrastructure and textiles. Anil, 50, got the telecoms, power and financial services businesses.

As part of their agreements announced on Sunday, Reliance Industries will not enter the gas-based electricity generation business before April 1, 2022, with an exception made for its captive gas-based power plants, the groups said.

The two had clashed over the gas and telecoms businesses.

"These developments will eliminate any room for further disputes between the two groups, on matters relating to the scope and interpretation of the non-compete obligations," the two groups said in their statements on Sunday.

Neither brother was available for comment.

GAS DISPUTE

India's highest court on May 7 ordered the brothers to renegotiate within six weeks a private natural gas supply contract between Reliance Industries and Reliance Natural.

The new contract must abide by a government price of $4.2 per million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu), compared with $2.34 per mmBtu the brothers agreed on in 2005 for a 17-year period.

"We hope to conclude these negotiations very soon," the two groups said in Sunday.

The gas case had been closely watched by foreign investors due to the lack of clarity on the government's energy policy and the court's ruling raised fresh concerns about India's attractiveness to investors in the energy sector because it affirmed the government's right to set gas prices.

"At what price will the gas be given, whether RNRL will be an intermediary, or Reliance Power will get direct gas, I think all these questions will be cleared over a period of time, as dust settles down," said Gaurang Shah, assistant vice president at Geojit BNP Paribas.

Reliance Power is controlled by Anil Ambani.

"But overall this is a very good move for the market and for both the group companies," he said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Ambanis end non-compete pact in reconciliation bid

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's billionaire Ambani brothers took a step towards reconciliation in their long-running feud on Sunday, ending non-compete agreements in a move they hoped would lead to cooperation between the two groups.

Both groups said they aim to reach a conclusion soon for a gas supply agreement between Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries (RIL) and younger brother Anil's Reliance Natural Resources that had been at the heart of their dispute.

The brothers will now be free to compete on each other's turf, with the exception of gas-fired power plants, removing a source of friction between the two conglomerates and potentially giving a lift to shares in both groups.

"RIL and Reliance ADA Group are hopeful and confident that all these steps will create an overall environment of harmony, co-operation and collaboration between the two groups," they both said on Sunday.

The statement comes two weeks after the Supreme Court ruled in Mukesh Ambani's favour in a bitter public dispute over gas pricing that had riven India's richest family and raised questions about the role of big business in government policy.

While the feud had captivated the attention of India it had been a major distraction for both groups and the government.

"This gives more clarity, less ambiguity. In the last few years, the two brothers have spent more time in court, now they can concentrate on their businesses," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, equity head at SMC Capital in New Delhi.

"The speed with the two brothers have reached a solution is slightly fascinating, because everybody expected it to be long-drawn process. There might be a relief rally in both groups' stocks tomorrow as it removes ambiguity," he added.

Reliance Industries, India's largest listed firm, and Anil's Reliance ADA Group said they agreed to cancel all existing non-compete pacts the groups had signed in 2006 and entered into a new non-compete pact only for gas-based power generation.

"This is more positive for Reliance Industries than R-ADAG group, because this gives Reliance an opportunity to look into expansion in other areas," said S.P. Tulsian, an independent investment consultant. "You can't rule out the possibility of Reliance entering in sectors such as telecom," he said.

FAMILY FEUD

The two brothers are estimated to be worth a combined $43 billion and both live in Mumbai but had not been on speaking terms during their dispute. They split the business empire inherited from their father Dhirubhai Ambani in a 2005 deal brokered by their homemaker mother, Kokilaben.

Mukesh, 53, got the jewel -- Reliance Industries, which has interests in oil and gas exploration, petrochemicals, infrastructure and textiles. Anil, 50, got the telecoms, power and financial services businesses.

As part of their agreements announced on Sunday, Reliance Industries will not enter the gas-based electricity generation business before April 1, 2022, with an exception made for its captive gas-based power plants, the groups said.

The two had clashed over the gas and telecoms businesses.

"These developments will eliminate any room for further disputes between the two groups, on matters relating to the scope and interpretation of the non-compete obligations," the two groups said in their statements on Sunday.

Neither brother was available for comment.

GAS DISPUTE

India's highest court on May 7 ordered the brothers to renegotiate within six weeks a private natural gas supply contract between Reliance Industries and Reliance Natural.

The new contract must abide by a government price of $4.2 per million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu), compared with $2.34 per mmBtu the brothers agreed on in 2005 for a 17-year period.

"We hope to conclude these negotiations very soon," the two groups said in Sunday.

The gas case had been closely watched by foreign investors due to the lack of clarity on the government's energy policy and the court's ruling raised fresh concerns about India's attractiveness to investors in the energy sector because it affirmed the government's right to set gas prices.

"At what price will the gas be given, whether RNRL will be an intermediary, or Reliance Power will get direct gas, I think all these questions will be cleared over a period of time, as dust settles down," said Gaurang Shah, assistant vice president at Geojit BNP Paribas.

Reliance Power is controlled by Anil Ambani.

"But overall this is a very good move for the market and for both the group companies," he said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

UK army's chief bomb officer resigns over Afghanistan

LONDON (Reuters) - The British Army's top bomb disposal officer has resigned, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement on Monday.

The MoD said Colonel Bob Seddon, who held the post of Principal Ammunition Technical Officer (PATO), would step down in January.

The Sun newspaper said Seddon was quitting over concerns that a shortage of trained bomb disposal experts was putting troops in Afghanistan under strain.

"I am very concerned over the pressures they are facing in Afghanistan," the paper quoted Seddon as saying in a BBC documentary to be broadcast later on Monday.

"We've broadened our training and selection but it will take time before these measures come into play. The existing cohort are going to be under pressure," Seddon said.

Britain's new Foreign Secretary William Hague and other senior ministers were in Afghanistan at the weekend to get a first-hand look at the situation in the country.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government formed after the May 6 election says its top foreign policy priority is the strategy for Afghanistan, where Britain has 9,500 troops battling Taliban insurgents.

Some 285 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2001, when the NATO mission there was launched and Britain has struggled to turn the tide on an insurgency in the restive southern Helmand province, where most of its troops are deployed.

"We can confirm that the current PATO has resigned and will leave his post and the Army in January next year," an Army spokesman said in the statement.

"The Army remains committed to the counter IED (improvised explosive devise) effort which is the number one priority in Afghanistan," the spokesman said.

Read more »

Posted in: International

UK army's chief bomb officer resigns over Afghanistan

LONDON (Reuters) - The British Army's top bomb disposal officer has resigned, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement on Monday.

The MoD said Colonel Bob Seddon, who held the post of Principal Ammunition Technical Officer (PATO), would step down in January.

The Sun newspaper said Seddon was quitting over concerns that a shortage of trained bomb disposal experts was putting troops in Afghanistan under strain.

"I am very concerned over the pressures they are facing in Afghanistan," the paper quoted Seddon as saying in a BBC documentary to be broadcast later on Monday.

"We've broadened our training and selection but it will take time before these measures come into play. The existing cohort are going to be under pressure," Seddon said.

Britain's new Foreign Secretary William Hague and other senior ministers were in Afghanistan at the weekend to get a first-hand look at the situation in the country.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government formed after the May 6 election says its top foreign policy priority is the strategy for Afghanistan, where Britain has 9,500 troops battling Taliban insurgents.

Some 285 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2001, when the NATO mission there was launched and Britain has struggled to turn the tide on an insurgency in the restive southern Helmand province, where most of its troops are deployed.

"We can confirm that the current PATO has resigned and will leave his post and the Army in January next year," an Army spokesman said in the statement.

"The Army remains committed to the counter IED (improvised explosive devise) effort which is the number one priority in Afghanistan," the spokesman said.

Read more »

Posted in: International

BJP to withdraw support from Soren government Monday

Ranchi, May 24 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will meet Jharkhand Governor M.O.H. Farook Monday to withdraw support from the Shibu Soren-led government.

“We will meet the governor at 11.30 a.m. to withdraw support from Soren’s government. The JMM’s changing stand has pushed the state into political uncertainty and the party has decided to withdraw support,” Jharkhand BJP president and Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das told IANS.

Jharkhand has been facing a political crisis since April 27 when Soren voted against the BJP’s cut motions in the Lok Sabha last month. This led the BJP, a junior partner in the Jharkhand coalition, to announce withdrawal of support from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on April 28. On April 30, BJP put its withdrawal decision on hold.

On May 8, JMM announced that it would support the BJP. Ten days later, on May 18, BJP agreed to a rotation of power with Soren. On May 20, however, Soren refused to quit and announced that talks were on with both the BJP and the Congress for the formation of an alternative government in Jharkhand.

Soren’s defiant attitude prompted the BJP to withdraw support from his government.

Read more »

Posted in: National News