MPs to get VIP treatment on private airline

New Delhi, Jan 29: Private airlines, including the no-frill ones, have been directed by the government to ensure that special privileges, like faster security clearances and lounge access, are given to MPs in line with what Air India has been providing so far.

While the protocol to accord such services to MPs have been in existence for over three years now, aviation regulator DGCA, in a fresh directive to all airlines, has pointed out that the airports and airlines were "not adhering to the guidelines on protocol norms and courtesy to be extended to Members of Parliament."

Noting that a 2007 circular of Civil Aviation Ministry providing the guidelines and instructions in this regard, had only listed Air India, DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar also advised the Ministry "to review the order on protocol norms and courtesy for the Members of Parliament and include the names of other airlines companies including LCC (low-cost carriers)".

The DGCA directive came after Parliament's 'Committee on Violation of Protocol Norms and Contemptuous Behaviour of government officers with member(s) of Lok Sabha', which is part of the Privileges Committee, had raised the issue with the Ministry late last year.

The committee had said that "airports and airlines are not adhering to the guidelines on protocol norms and courtesy to be extended to the members of Parliament."Barring Air India which has been extending such courtesies to the MPs so far, the other airlines which have been instructed are Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir.

The protocol, which is "to be followed by all concerned, including private airports and airlines", includes reserved lounge facilities, complimentary tea, coffee or water, free access in the terminal building and designation of one officer of airport as Protocol Officer to extend all facilities and courtesies to MPs, according to reply to a Lok Sabha question in August last year.

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7 Bangladeshis arrested in Udupi after man with fake passport caught attempting to fly Dubai via Mangaluru Airport

News Network

October 12,2024

Udupi: In a significant operation, the Malpe police have arrested seven Bangladeshi nationals who were illegally residing in India using forged Aadhaar cards. Udupi Superintendent of Police, Dr. Arun K, stated that the arrests followed after an immigration incident involving one of the group's members.

Muhammed Manik, one of the arrested individuals, was caught attempting to travel to Dubai via Mangaluru International Airport with a fake passport. Alert immigration officers at the airport detained him and handed him over to the Bajpe police, who registered a case. Following this, the Udupi police, acting on the information provided by the Bajpe police and immigration authorities, conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of the seven individuals in Hoode village, Paduthonse, Udupi.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Hakeem Ali (24), Sujon S K alias Farooq (19), Ismail S K (30), Kareem S K (20), Salam S K (22), Rajikul S K (20), and Mohammed Sojib (20), all hailing from Bangladesh.

The group entered India without any valid documentation and managed to acquire fake Aadhaar cards, which they used to stay in the country illegally. According to police sources, a person named Kajol from Agartala assisted them in obtaining the fraudulent Aadhaar cards, while a Bangladeshi named Usman facilitated their illegal entry into India under the guise of employment. Both Kajol and Usman are currently at large.

The Malpe police have registered cases under several sections, including Sections 19(2), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), and 190 of the BNS, related to fraud and illegal entry. Interrogations are ongoing as the police seek further details in connection with the case.

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