Committee on air safety flags non-implementation of past regulatory recommendations
According to sources, the members also intended to seek updates on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary findings and whether they would be made public soon.The Standing Committee, chaired by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, convened with the stated agenda of "an overall review of civil aviation sector safety", but the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad took centre stage during discussions.The crash involved flight AI 171, which slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel building just seconds after take-off, killing 260 people - 241 passengers and crew onboard, and 19 on the ground.While Wednesday's meeting focused on oversight and systemic issues, air safety had already become a contentious issue during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Tuesday. Though originally intended to address airport levy charges, the PAC session turned into a charged discussion on aviation safety post-AI 171.Sources said PAC members pressed aviation authorities about oversight gaps, urged an audit by BCAS, and raised questions over increasing safety incidents in May and June. Lawmakers also flagged a surge in airfares following the Pahalgam terror attack as another sign of regulatory failure.Air India CEO Wilson Campbell, along with top MoCA, DGCA, AERA, AAI and BCAS officials, attended the PAC meeting and defended the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash. Air India stated the aircraft was among the safest in the world, with over 1,000 Dreamliners currently in operation globally.Speaking after the PAC meeting, former Civil Aviation Minister and PAC member Praful Patel highlighted a shortage of skilled senior personnel at DGCA and recommended that retired officials be brought back on short tenures to plug the gap."Safety is paramount. Anyone who flies wants to be safe and assured that they will reach their destination. Many events took place in the wake of the Air India crash. Obviously, when a crash happens, everything is taken with sensitivity," Patel said.He added, "Indian aviation is safe, and we don't need to panic. All airlines, including Air India, follow all safety protocols. DGCA is well equipped and does a very good job. However, DGCA needs to have more people. It is facing a shortage of staff at the top level, of skilled people. Retired officials can be brought back to deal with this understaffing and ensure safety standards are fully compliant at the earliest. Maybe an audit of the entire sector or all the aircraft should be done at the earliest so that passenger confidence is restored."- EndsMust Watch
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Its success not only strengthens India-UK ties but also paves the way for India's ambitions on the global stage, particularly in negotiations with the US. As both nations navigate the complexities of global trade, the India-UK FTA stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, setting the stage for a brighter, more connected economic future.(Tuhin A Sinha is a national spokesperson of the BJP, and an author)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Tune InMust Watch
India.com
5 hours ago
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Trade Pact, Rs 5,000 Cr Credit Line, Defence Ties And More: PM Modi, Maldivian President Muizzu Elevate Bilateral Ties
On his State Visit to Maldives, PM Narendra Modi held wide ranging talks with President Mohamed Muizzu and the two leaders discussed an array of bilateral issues, boosting the ties between the two nations. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Maldives relations & reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the ties. The MEA said that discussions were held for cooperation in the fields of development partnership, capacity building, health, infrastructure, digital economy, aquaculture, climate change and renewable energy. "The two leaders called for closer collaboration to enhance peace, progress and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region," said the MEA. Notably, PM Modi is the first foreign Head of State or Government to be invited by Maldives on a state visit during President Muizzu 's term. Issuing a joint statement with Muizzu, PM Modi said that to give a new flight to development partnership, India has decided to provide a line of credit of 565 million dollars, which is approximately five thousand crore rupees, for the Maldives. "This will be used for projects related to the development of infrastructure here, in line with the priorities of the people of the Maldives," said PM Modi. The leaders also took stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' adopted in 2024. PM Narendra Modi said, "Last year in October, during the President's visit to India, we shared a vision on extensive economic and maritime partnership. Now, this is becoming a reality. It is a result of that, that our relations are touching new heights. Thanking India for the continuous support, President Muizzu said, "I am also pleased to announce the initiation of negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and Maldives. This landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening our economic partnership." PM Modi also said that India is the closest neighbor of the Maldives. "The Maldives holds an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and MAHASAGAR is also proud to be the most trusted friend of the Maldives. Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as the 'First Responder'. Whether it is about providing essential commodities or managing the economy post-Covid, India has always worked together," he said. The Prime Minister also hailed the strenghtening of the defence ties. "Mutual cooperation in the field of defence and security is a testament to mutual trust. The Defence Ministry building, which is being inaugurated today, is a concrete structure of trust. It is a symbol of our strong partnership."
