Saudi based Kannadigas offer to bear charges of first Chartered flight from Dammam to Mangaluru
SAQCO Company’s Althaf Ullal, Basheer Sagar propose to government
Dammam: Amidst the Corona Lockdown across countries and suspension of flight connectivity between countries, Indians stranded in abroad have faced a lot of hardships and plights over the last couple of months. Social media is abuzz with stories of thousands of stranded Indians waiting for their repatriation.
Several social media campaigns have also been run over the last few weeks to bring the plights of Kannadiga NRIs to the state and central governments’ notice. Even after several attempts the government has so far been unable to arrange flights to Karnataka from KSA.
Directors of Al Khobar based SAQCO Company, Althaf Ullal and Basheer Sagar, both Kannadigas, have now come forward and have pitched an offer to state and central governments that they will bear the cost of first Chartered flight with stranded Indians from Dammam to Mangaluru.
In a letter written to Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa and Union Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, they have stated that their company will bear the cost of the first chartered flight from Dammam to Mangaluru if it starts on or before June 5. According to SAQCO, this first flight will consist of around 180 people with medical emergencies, pregnant women, senior citizens on visit visas and other stranded Indians with emergencies.
They have further added that their company will pay the estimated amount of 45 lac directly to the Chartered flight carrier firm and that the passengers will bear the cost of institutional quarantine after arriving at Mangaluru.
Indian government under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ has arranged flights from some gulf countries wherein stranded Indians have to bear the travel costs along with the cost of institutional quarantine after arriving in India. However the government has so far been unable to arrange a flight to the state from Saudi Arabia.
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Death toll climbs to 16 in van-SUV collision in MP's Dhar
Dhar (MP) (PTI): The death toll in the collision between a pick-up van and an SUV in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district has risen to 16, officials said on Thursday.
The van carrying labourers overturned and collided with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) coming from the opposite direction near Chikliya crossing on the Indore-Ahmedabad National Highway on Wednesday night, they said.
Twelve fatalities were initially reported after the incident. Four more persons later succumbed to their injuries, taking the toll to 16, officials said.
"A very tragic incident occurred in Dhar. I was informed that 46 persons (mostly labourers) were travelling in a pickup vehicle. It overturned and caused an accident. We have received information about the deaths of 15 people. This is very unfortunate," Indore Divisional Commissioner Dr Sudam P Khade told reporters.
Later, one more person succumbed to his injuries, Dhar district hospital's civil surgeon Dr Mukund Burman said.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav have issued instructions to ensure all arrangements are made, and treatment is provided to the injured persons, and that no one is left without care, Khade said.
The divisional commissioner and Inspector General Anurag were monitoring relief operations at the incident spot.
"Seven injured persons have been referred for treatment to Indore. Fifteen people are undergoing treatment here. The patients here are currently stable, but if they need to be referred (elsewhere), everything will be done," Khade said.
"In Indore also, we have deployed a team of doctors and are making all arrangements so that there is no delay or problem in treatment," he added.
The incident occurred between 8.30 and 9 pm on Wednesday. The labourers were returning home in the van from Baggad in Dhar district when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Chikliya crossing.
The Tirla police have registered a case and are investigating the accident.
PM Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the incident. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased, and the injured would receive Rs 50,000.
CM Yadav said instructions have been given to provide Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh each to the seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
Dhar district in-charge minister Kailash Vijaywargiya said instructions have been given to the local administration to ensure that the injured receive proper treatment.
Leader of Opposition, Umang Singhar, a native of Dhar district, also expressed grief over the accident.
