Air India promotes pilot whose licence was suspended for failing pre-flight alcohol test
New Delhi, Apr 30: Air India pilot Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November 2018 after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests, has been appointed Regional Director (Northern Region) in the airline, said an official document Tuesday.
"Consequent to the retirement of Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Regional Director (Northern Region) after the close of the working hours of 30th April, 2019, Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019," said an Air India notification.
On November 11 last year, Kathpalia had tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight.
The next day, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order to remove him from the position of Director, Operations.
However, a week later, he was posted him as Executive Director by the Airline.
An Air India spokesperson Tuesday said: "Appointment of Arvind Kathpalia as Director Northern Region is according to law. Earlier, he was Executive Director and Regional Director is equivalent to Executive Director."
Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents the pilots flying the narrow body aircraft of Air India, "strongly" condemned Kathpalia's appointment.
It said,"Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. He's been made in-charge of NR (Northern Region) where he will be able to intimidate people who had given statements in police enquiry. Disciplinary action against commanders come under RD-NR. Its ethically wrong.
The ICPA said:"A person who has broken the law and charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees. ICPA strongly condemns this. We need justice. It's yet again proven people with strong political connections can get away with any crime."
Kathpalia was taken off flying duties earlier too. In February 2017, when he was working at the position of executive director of operations, his flying licence was suspended for three months on charges of skipping a pre-flight alcohol test.
Consequently, he was removed from the post of executive director of operations. However, in March 2018, he was posted as Director of Operations.
Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah slams Yatnal's campaign in bypoll, calls it BJP’s ‘double standard’
Bagalkote (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the BJP of adopting “double standard” by bringing expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to campaign for the Assembly bypolls.
Yatnal has been campaigning extensively in Bagalkote for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, who is in a direct contest with Congress candidate Umesh Meti, son of sitting MLA H Y Meti, whose death necessitated the April 9 bypoll.
Yatnal, a firebrand leader, was expelled from the BJP for anti-party activities after making a series of allegations, including on dynastic politics and corruption, against party stalwart and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his sons—Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra and BJP state president and Shikaripura MLA B Y Vijayendra.
Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said bringing Yatnal in for campaigning shows that the BJP is losing the election.
“Once the BJP realised it would lose the election, it brought back those it had expelled. On one hand, the BJP expels him (Yatnal); on the other, it brings him back, praises him, and makes him campaign. Isn’t this a double standard?” the CM asked.
According to him, roping in Yatnal indicates that the opposition party is in a “weak position.”
On the BJP’s allegation that the budget favours minorities, Siddaramaiah asked whether they are not citizens of India. “Do you know what percentage they constitute? More than 14 per cent. In our budget, we have provided for everyone, including them,” he said.
Responding to the opposition’s charge that the Congress is “misusing power and money” to win the bypolls, Siddaramaiah said the BJP was doing so instead.
“The BJP has no limits when it comes to telling lies. There is no truth in what it says, and it does not act according to its words. I do not react much to the BJP. Out of fear of losing this constituency, it is saying whatever comes to its mouth,” the CM said.
On the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats and its impact on the state, Siddaramaiah said the exercise should be based on population, but without any discrimination. “Seats should not be reduced for southern states while being increased for northern states. There must be uniformity,” he said.
On the auto-LPG shortage that has led to long queues of autorickshaws at LPG stations, he said the Centre must address the issue.
“It is the responsibility of the Centre to supply gas cylinders, not the state government. The state only distributes what is supplied. The Centre should be held accountable,” he said.
Dismissing the BJP’s claim that the bypoll results would affect state politics and his position, Siddaramaiah said the Congress would win both Bagalkote and Davanagere seats.
