Amid speculation of trouble brewing in national carrier Air India due to pilots not being paid their wages on time and some domestic pilots threatening to go on a flash strike, representatives of pilots met Air India CMD Rohit Nandan late on Friday evening.
An Air India spokesman dismissed speculation late on Friday that pilots may resort to a flash strike by not turning up for duty from Saturday morning in protest against delay in payment of wages.
“There will be no flight disruptions, nor any strike. All issues are being addressed. Pilots have just met the CMD,” the spokesperson said when asked about the situation. However, a pilot speaking to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said several pilots were seriously considering not turning up for flights from Saturday in protest against not being paid on time.
Pilots also met in Mumbai on Friday to discuss the situation but sources said there was no directive from the pilot union for any strike.
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Rajasthan offers Mehdi Hasan aid
Narayan Bareth
Jaipur, jan. 13
The Rajasthan government offered help to ailing ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan for his treatment in India.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot called Hassan’s son Arif and enquired about his health and told him the state government is ready to provide all help.
Hassan was born on July 18, 1927 in Luna village of Rajasthan. The villagers in Luna are also offering prayers for his good health.
Mr Gehlot also spoke to minister of state for external affairs E. Ahamed for granting visa if Hassan’s family decides to bring him India for treatment. Mr Gehlot asked chief secretary S. Ahmad to keep contact with Hassan’s family and coordinate between them and the government.
The ghazal maestro visited his native state last in 2000 when the state government invited him for a convention of non-resident Rajasthanis.
Though Mehdi Hassan was eager to visit his native village of Luna under Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, he could not.