Minor rise in sick leave among Air India pilots after Ahmedabad crash: Govt tells Parliament
112 pilots, including 51 commanders, reported being sick four days after AI-171 crash
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New Delhi: In the wake of the fatal crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, the airline witnessed a minor increase in sick leave reported by its pilots, the government informed the Parliament on Thursday.
Responding to a query on whether there had been mass sick reporting by Air India flight crew following the crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that 112 pilots reported being sick on June 16. This included 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2).
"Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)," the minister said in a written reply.
To address mental health in aviation, Mohol cited a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular issued in February 2023. The circular advised airlines to implement customised training modules for flight crew and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to help them recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions.
Additionally, organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, Flying Training Organisations and the Airports Authority of India) were advised to establish a Peer Support Programme (PSP). This programme is aimed at providing professional support and helping crew members cope with psychological stress.
The Air India passenger plane bound for London's Gatwick airport crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad. The crash claimed 260 lives, including 241 passengers who were onboard the plane and 19 people on the ground. One passenger survived the crash.
Meanwhile, in another written reply, Mohol stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation currently has no specific policy regarding compensation for civilians on the ground who suffer damages as a result of a plane crash.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
