Demand for
government intervention
The North
Malabar Zone of the World Malayali Council (WMC) has sought the immediate
intervention of the State government and the Centre, including the MPs from
Kerala, to solve the ongoing strike of Air India pilots.
The strike is
seriously affecting the people, especially those from the Malabar region, many
of whom work in the Gulf countries, the council said on Monday.
A get-together
of the representatives of various Pravasi organisations under the aegis of the
council here expressed deep anguish and shock at the fact that there was
practically “no attempts” on part of the State government or from the Central
authorities to sort out the issue, which gave untold miseries to a large section
of passengers from the State.
Serious issue
Speaking on the
occasion, WMC president for the North Malabar Region C.E. Chakkunni said no
responsible government could turn its back on such a serious issue that was
affecting its people for more than a month and a half now.
“If the Central
authorities are not keen on sorting out the issue, it is high time that the
State government and the MPs from the State used all their influence and
constitutional powers to end this crisis, as the ongoing strike was making the
lives of its people really miserable,” he said.
He said the
continuing strike of the pilots was not only contributing hugely to the loss
incurred by the national airline but also resulting in indefinite delay and
cancellation of the flights without any notice.
Uncertain
This left the
passengers uncertain about their journey, and caused time and money loss, he
said. Stating that Air India’s stance on the issue was highly disappointing and
deplorable, Mr. Chakkunni said the recent statement of Sunil Krishnan,
south-zone executive director of the airline, was a “true lie” and an “open
challenge” to the passengers who had no choice but to depend on the flight for
their trips.
Mr. Sunil
Krishnan, according to him, had said no flights of the airline in the domestic
or Gulf sector was affected by the strike so far. “But the reality is that on
an average, around four or five flights are being cancelled from the different
airports in the State every day due to the strike,” he said.
‘Open
challenge’
Mr. Chakkunni,
who termed this “irresponsible” attitude of the authorities as an “open
challenge” to the passengers, also said the extension of the stoppage of
booking in different sectors from June 30 to July 30 indicated the strike was
here to stay for some time.
The strike at
this peak season (with Haj and Umrah season round the corner) also resulted in
the other airlines exorbitantly raising their airfare.
“If the
government has any commitment to its people, who elected them, it’s the time to
show it,” said Mr. Chakkunni.
Chairman of the
Calicut International Airport Development Society K. Moidu, Chairman of the
Federation of the North Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry M. Muzammil,
and Secretary of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry T.P. Vasu, were
among others spoke on the occasion.
· Strike contributing to the loss incurred by
the airline
· It also prompts other airlines to hike fares
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