Latest news with #Bansal
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) calls 24-hour strike in Siliguri over alleged attack on Hindus, arrest of workers
Vishwa Hindu Parishad calls for a 24-hour bandh in Siliguri NEW DELHI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced a 24-hour bandh in West Bengal's Siliguri on Monday to protest against alleged attacks on members of the Hindu community, damage to their businesses in Matigara, and the detention of workers from Hindu organisations. The unrest reportedly began on Friday after a dispute over suspected illegal transportation of meat in a vehicle in Siliguri's Matigara locality. The vehicle was allegedly set on fire, escalating tensions between two communities and prompting police action. VHP's North Bengal region president, Laxman Bansal, said, "VHP North Bengal has called for a 24-hour strike in Siliguri. There has been prevailing chaos in West Bengal for many years. Our Hindu women and children are being traumatised, and their businesses attacked." He claimed that on 30 May, Bajrang Dal workers stopped a vehicle in Matigara suspected of transporting meat. "There were four people in the vehicle, reportedly carrying weapons. An FIR was lodged," Bansal said. He further alleged, "When they were stopped, members of the Hindu community gathered at the spot, and they were outraged and set the vehicle on fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo However, the police did not apprehend the accused and instead arrested our Bajrang Dal workers, slapping 14-15 IPC sections on them." "Tomorrow, the entire city of Siliguri will observe a shutdown. I urge everyone to join the protest to protect Sanatan Dharma," he added. Bansal also accused the state government of favouring anti-social elements and engaging in appeasement politics. "We will never hurt anyone, but if any government supports anti-social elements, the VHP will not remain silent. When the state leadership indulges in appeasement politics for the vote bank, what can you expect from the police? Whenever there is any Hindu festival, the police resort to barricading and water cannons as if there is a conflict. Meanwhile, culprits are given protection," he said. Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, he called on the state government, led by CM Mamata Banerjee, to take action against those involved. "If not, we will be forced to march to the streets," Bansal warned.
India Gazette
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
VHP calls 24-hour strike in Siliguri over alleged attack on Hindus, arrest of workers
Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], June 1 (ANI): The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 24-hour strike in West Bengal's Siliguri on Monday to protest against the alleged attacks on Hindus and business establishments in Matigara area, as well as the arrest of workers from Hindu organisations. The unrest began on Friday following a dispute over the alleged illegal transportation of meat in a vehicle in Siliguri's Matigara locality. The vehicle was reportedly set on fire, sparking tension between two groups and leading to subsequent police action. VHP's North Bengal region president, Laxman Bansal, said, 'VHP North Bengal has called for a 24-hour strike in Siliguri. There has been prevailing chaos in West Bengal for many Hindu women and children are being traumatised, and their businesses attacked.' He alleged that on May 30, Bajrang Dal workers intercepted a vehicle in the Matigara block allegedly transporting meat. 'There were four people in the vehicle, reportedly carrying weapons. An FIR was lodged,' Bansal claimed. 'When they were stopped, members of the Hindu community gathered at the spot, and they were outraged and set the vehicle on fire. However, the police did not apprehend the accused and instead arrested our Bajrang Dal workers, slapping 14-15 IPC sections on them,' he said. 'Tomorrow, the entire city of Siliguri will observe a shutdown. I urge everyone to join the protest to protect Sanatan Dharma,' he added. Bansal further alleged, 'We will never hurt anyone, but if any government supports anti-social elements, the VHP will not remain silent. When the state leadership indulges in appeasement politics for the vote bank, what can you expect from the police? Whenever there is any Hindu festival, the police resort to barricading and water cannons as if there is a conflict. Meanwhile, culprits are given protection.' He demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and urged the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to arrest those responsible. 'If not, we will be forced to march to the streets,' he said. (ANI)
Mint
21 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Adani-owned Mumbai Airport's cash deposit rules trigger lobbying efforts from IndiGo, Air India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The airport in India's financial capital of Mumbai, run by the Adani Group, has triggered a lobbying effort by top carriers IndiGo and Air India after it changed payment rules, citing financial needs and a risk of airline defaults, documents show. The airport is one of India's busiest at a time when dozens are being added in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. It is the biggest of seven managed by a group led by billionaire Gautam Adani. Confidential letters seen by Reuters show the intense pushback to the change, which seeks a compulsory cash deposit in a bank as security against charges such as landing and parking fees, instead of a long-standing practice of bank guarantees. "None of these airlines normally pay on time ... we want to align our cash flow with the airlines' cash flow," said Arun Bansal, the chief executive of Adani Airport Holdings, which has a stake of 74% in the airport. "They have taken advantage of our niceness," he added, referring to resistance to the new payment system from IndiGo and Air India since the change eight months ago in October. Airlines often delay payments beyond a due date at month-end but the airport has to pay authorities earlier, creating working capital challenges that can be resolved by using the security deposit when needed, Bansal said. IndiGo and Air India, which together have a share of 91% of the market in India, did not respond to queries from Reuters. A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the new policy would require the two airlines to make deposits of about 2 billion rupees ($23 million), taken together. For Air India, owned by the Tata Group conglomerate, such payments could strain its finances after racking up losses of $521 million last year, in addition to monthly costs of $50 million after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines. The Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which serviced 53 million passengers last year, also faces financial challenges, after posting losses of $71.11 million on revenues of $461 million last year, disclosures show. In a December 31 letter to an airlines body, the airport justified the change by pointing out its "deteriorating financial position" and "significant debt obligations". "The deposits will help MIAL's financial stability and credit rating," it added. The change also aimed to protect the airport from risks such as an airline going bankrupt, as carriers Jet Airways, Go First and Kingfisher Airlines have done in the last few years, Bansal said. The Mumbai airport has the right to cancel the slots of airlines that do not follow the new policy, but does not intend to do so in the interest of passengers, he added. The International Air Transport Association, representing both Air India and IndiGo, wrote to India's civil aviation ministry in December, calling the change a bid to use airline deposits to fund the airport's need for working capital. India's civil aviation ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries. The government has a stake of 26% in the Mumbai airport. In a letter on April 2, the Federation of Indian Airlines told the airport it disagreed with the contention that airline payments were not timely. Air India has lobbied the Indian government, saying the industry was already facing "immense financial pressure" in an April 15 letter. "It is highly likely that other airports across the country could adopt similar measures, leading to widespread financial strain," Air India said in the letter, seen by Reuters. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Additional reporting by Aditi Shah and Abhijith Ganapavaram; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
India's Mumbai airport spars with IndiGo, Air India over payment terms
By Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The airport in India's financial capital of Mumbai, run by the Adani Group, has triggered a lobbying effort by top carriers IndiGo and Air India after it changed payment rules, citing financial needs and a risk of airline defaults, documents show. The airport is one of India's busiest at a time when dozens are being added in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. It is the biggest of seven managed by a group led by billionaire Gautam Adani. Confidential letters seen by Reuters show the intense pushback to the change, which seeks a compulsory cash deposit in a bank as security against charges such as landing and parking fees, instead of a long-standing practice of bank guarantees. "None of these airlines normally pay on time ... we want to align our cash flow with the airlines' cash flow," said Arun Bansal, the chief executive of Adani Airport Holdings, which has a stake of 74% in the airport. "They have taken advantage of our niceness," he added, referring to resistance to the new payment system from IndiGo and Air India since the change eight months ago in October. Airlines often delay payments beyond a due date at month-end but the airport has to pay authorities earlier, creating working capital challenges that can be resolved by using the security deposit when needed, Bansal said. IndiGo and Air India, which together have a share of 91% of the market in India, did not respond to queries from Reuters. A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the new policy would require the two airlines to make deposits of about 2 billion rupees ($23 million), taken together. For Air India, owned by the Tata Group conglomerate, such payments could strain its finances after racking up losses of $521 million last year, in addition to monthly costs of $50 million after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines. The Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which serviced 53 million passengers last year, also faces financial challenges, after posting losses of $71.11 million on revenues of $461 million last year, disclosures show. In a December 31 letter to an airlines body, the airport justified the change by pointing out its "deteriorating financial position" and "significant debt obligations". "The deposits will help MIAL's financial stability and credit rating," it added. DEFAULT RISK, AIR INDIA PUSH The change also aimed to protect the airport from risks such as an airline going bankrupt, as carriers Jet Airways, Go First and Kingfisher Airlines have done in the last few years, Bansal said. The Mumbai airport has the right to cancel the slots of airlines that do not follow the new policy, but does not intend to do so in the interest of passengers, he added. The International Air Transport Association, representing both Air India and IndiGo, wrote to India's civil aviation ministry in December, calling the change a bid to use airline deposits to fund the airport's need for working capital. India's civil aviation ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries. The government has a stake of 26% in the Mumbai airport. In a letter on April 2, the Federation of Indian Airlines told the airport it disagreed with the contention that airline payments were not timely. Air India has lobbied the Indian government, saying the industry was already facing "immense financial pressure" in an April 15 letter. "It is highly likely that other airports across the country could adopt similar measures, leading to widespread financial strain," Air India said in the letter, seen by Reuters. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Adani's Mumbai airport spars with IndiGo, Air India over payment terms
NEW DELHI: The airport in India's financial capital of Mumbai, run by the Adani Group, has triggered a lobbying effort by top carriers IndiGo and Air India after it changed payment rules, citing financial needs and a risk of airline defaults, documents show. The airport is one of India's busiest at a time when dozens are being added in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. It is the biggest of seven managed by a group led by billionaire Gautam Adani. Confidential letters seen by Reuters show the intense pushback to the change, which seeks a compulsory cash deposit in a bank as security against charges such as landing and parking fees, instead of a long-standing practice of bank guarantees. 'None of these airlines normally pay on time … we want to align our cash flow with the airlines' cash flow,' said Arun Bansal, the chief executive of Adani Airport Holdings, which has a stake of 74% in the airport. 'They have taken advantage of our niceness,' he added, referring to resistance to the new payment system from IndiGo and Air India since the change eight months ago in October. Airlines often delay payments beyond a due date at month-end but the airport has to pay authorities earlier, creating working capital challenges that can be resolved by using the security deposit when needed, Bansal said. IndiGo and Air India, which together have a share of 91% of the market in India, did not respond to queries from Reuters. A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the new policy would require the two airlines to make deposits of about 2 billion rupees ($23 million), taken together. For Air India, owned by the Tata Group conglomerate, such payments could strain its finances after racking up losses of $521 million last year, in addition to monthly costs of $50 million after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines. India extends IndiGo's Turkish Airlines lease by just three months The Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which serviced 53 million passengers last year, also faces financial challenges, after posting losses of $71.11 million on revenues of $461 million last year, disclosures show. In a December 31 letter to an airlines body, the airport justified the change by pointing out its 'deteriorating financial position' and 'significant debt obligations'. 'The deposits will help MIAL's financial stability and credit rating,' it added. Default risk, Air India push The change also aimed to protect the airport from risks such as an airline going bankrupt, as carriers Jet Airways, Go First and Kingfisher Airlines have done in the last few years, Bansal said. The Mumbai airport has the right to cancel the slots of airlines that do not follow the new policy, but does not intend to do so in the interest of passengers, he added. The International Air Transport Association, representing both Air India and IndiGo, wrote to India's civil aviation ministry in December, calling the change a bid to use airline deposits to fund the airport's need for working capital. India's civil aviation ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries. The government has a stake of 26% in the Mumbai airport. In a letter on April 2, the Federation of Indian Airlines told the airport it disagreed with the contention that airline payments were not timely. Air India has lobbied the Indian government, saying the industry was already facing 'immense financial pressure' in an April 15 letter. 'It is highly likely that other airports across the country could adopt similar measures, leading to widespread financial strain,' Air India said in the letter, seen by Reuters.
