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Every Breath You Take, the DGCA Watches You

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By Shobha John

The aviation industry worldwide is all about safety and security and often has zero tolerance for lapses. As compared to other countries, India is far stricter in its aviation rules and medical clearances. And yet, the lapses are far too many and too often, endangering the lives of thousands of passengers. While the lapses that come most to light are those of the highest paid community in the aviation sector, the pilots, those of others will soon be on the radar too.

The most common misdemeanour is that of drinking. While breath analyser (BA) tests are carried out on pilots and cabin crew and even off-duty pilots who are in the cockpit as additional crew members, many are found slipping these high standards. According to media reports, in the first six months of 2019, 123 pilots and cabin crews failed the BA test. In 2018, the total numbers of crew members who failed the test was a whopping 256.

In fact, Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 5 which deals with Air Safety (Series F Part III) for flight crew says that “the level of blood alcohol compatible with safe flying is ‘Zero’, which is also recommended by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is equally important to intensify the educational programme for crew members regarding the inherent dangers of flying after consumption of alcohol”.

Also Read: Sanjay Nirupam requests Urmila Matondkar to reconsider her resignation from Congress Party

The CAR also explains: “Alcohol also interferes with the enzymatic cellular process or oxidation, causes hypoxia and reduces individual’s tolerance with increase in altitude. It is known that a low alcohol blood level between 30 mg% to 50 mg% disturbs the sensor-motor, visual and cortical reaction. Consumption of alcohol results in significant deterioration of psychomotor performance and decreases the amount of mental capacity available to deal with many essential tasks involved in the conduct of safe flight. Should an emergency occur in-flight, the crew member under the influence of alcohol is not capable of dealing with the problem.”

While such strictness is valued and expected from flight crew, the DGCA has gone a step further and will now include aircraft maintenance engineers, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, machine operators and vehicle drivers working at airports under BA tests. All these personnel are important cogs that move the wheels of aviation and keep them well-oiled. Every minor and major job done by these backroom boys is critically important at the airport and for the safety of planes and passengers. Though these are the support staff for the flight crew, any failure on their part can jeopardise flight operations. How often have we read about drunk drivers hitting stationary planes and damaging parts worth crores. Or freak accidents caused at airports due to airport personnel not being fully alert.

But one wonders if the standards for these personnel will be as strict as those for flight crew. Perhaps that would be taking things a little too far. Though International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations say that the blood-alcohol level for safe flying is “zero”, traces of alcohol can be found due to other substances too.  Though crew is not supposed to drink 12 hours before a flight, sometimes traces of alcohol can still be found in the blood. Compare our zero tolerance with other countries. In the US, pilots are not allowed to fly with 0.04 percent or higher blood alcohol concentration while in Europe the limit is 0.02 per cent.

Also Read: Memories of Memorials

Would it, therefore, be fair to have the same high standards for airside personnel as for flying crew? Will there be enough doctors and infrastructure in place before these measures are rolled out? After all, this means testing a few thousand people more? And what will be the punishment? For flight crew, these are harsh. If they fail the BA test the first time, they are barred from flying for three months. The second time, it is three years and the third time, their flying licence is permanently revoked.

So while harsh punishment may be a deterrent, the DGCA would be biting off more than it can chew by rolling out the same high standards for other personnel. The key will be in implementation.

India News

Salman Khan house firing: Accused Anuj Thapan dies by suicide in Mumbai Police custody

Anuj Thapan died by suicide in lock-up of Mumbai Police’s custody

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One of the accussed, Anuj Thapan, attempted suicide while being held by police in the most recent development in the Salman Khan house firing case. It is said that Anuj gave guns to the shooters. Thapan was sent to the nearest hopital for a checkup after he was seen held.

The 23-year-old deceased Anuj Thapan committed suicide by hanging himself with a bedsheet inside the locked toilet. He was taken to the GT Hospital, which is maintained by the state, and while receiving care, an official claimed, he was pronounced dead. An accidental death report would be filed at the police station in south Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, as per a report.

Earlier, both the shooters, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, who opened fire outside the actor’s residence in Bandra were detained from Gujarat’s Bhuj. For every accused person who has been detained, the Mumbai Police have invoked MCOCA laws. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is identified as the leader of the group by Mumbai Police. The FIR now included sections on MCOCA.

Meanwhile, Salman’s security level was raised to Y-Plus in 2022 in response to threats made by gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The Sultan actor also carrys a new armored vehicles for increased protection and was given permission to carry a handgun on his person.

Later, the Mumbai Crime Branch requested in writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a lookout notice for Anmol, the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. A few hours after the incident,  Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the gunfire at Salman Khan’s house via his Facebook profile.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan recently met UK MP Barry Gardiner, who represents Brent North, while he was in London. Salman and Barry are both visible inside Wembley Stadium in a number of images circulating online.

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Priyanka Gandhi says PM Modi is far away from reality of common people, calls him an egoistic person

The Congress leader also alleged there was a mafia raj in BJP-ruled Assam. She said there have been very serious charges against Himanta Biswa Sarma when he was in the Congress party. As soon as he changed sides to BJP, all charges against him were dropped.

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Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was addressing a rally in Assam’s Dhubri on Wednesday where she said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not stop JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna from leaving India. She said PM Modi is far away from the reality of common people and has no understanding of their miseries as he has become egoistic.

This was not the first time that Priyanka Gandhi attacked PM Modi over the sex scandal. Earlier this week, she questioned PM Modi’s silence over the matter. Gandhi said Prajwal Revanna who stood along with PM Modi, for whom the prime minister asked for votes, has been accused of abusing thousands of women.  She added the numbers are staggering and asked Modi’s response over the matter. Gandhi said she was keen to hear what the Union home minister had to say on the matter.

Priyanka Gandhi recollected that a few days earlier she had travelled abroad to visit her daughter. She said the Prime Minister and Home Minister are constantly discussing her overseas trips. She said they are well aware about when she is going to travel and are even keeping track of opposition leaders’ travels. Yet, when an accused, someone like him Prajwal Revanna, leaves the country, they claim ignorance. How can anyone accept this? She said the matter has slipped away right under their noses after committing such a grave offence, and yet they remain silent.

The Congress leader also alleged there was a mafia raj in BJP-ruled Assam. She also attacked Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. She said there have been very serious charges against Himanta Biswa Sarma when he was in the Congress party. As soon as he changed sides to BJP, all charges against him were dropped. Gandhi further added the BJP has developed a washing machine where corrupt people are put and the Assam CM was the first one in this regard.

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2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly joins BJP, says she feels she should also be a part of this Mahayagya

Anupamaa fame actor Rupali Ganguly joined the BJP today at party headquarter in New Delhi

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Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Anupamaa-fame actor Rupali Ganguly joined BJP on Wednesday at the party’s Delhi headquarter. Rupali praised the mahayagya of development and highlighted her enthusiasm for active politics.

BJP’s national media department in-charge Anil Baluni and party’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde were also present during the event.

After joining the party, the actor addressed the media, saying, when she sees this Mahayagya of development, she felt that she should also take part in this. Ek nagrik ke naate hi sahi, lekin hum sabko isme sehbhaagi hona chahiye, Rupali said during the press conference held from the Delhi headquarters.

As citizens, we must all actively engage in these elections. The Anupamaa actor said, through her art, she meets and connects with others, thanks to Mahkaaal and Matarani’s blessings. Therefore, she believes she should  participate in this as well as she observe this mahayagya of progress.

She also said, she came here to serve the country and follow the footsteps of PM Modi. Rupali said she want to go forward and live up to the expectations of those who have welcomed her into the BJP under the direction of Amit Shah. Concluding her speech she urged for the support, blessings and encouragement.

The actor met party president JP Nadda in Delhi after joining the BJP, accompanied by astrologer Ameya Joshi.

Earlier in March, the Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai actor shared a glimpses of her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her Instagram profile.

Sharing the image she expressed gratitude and said it was her day as  her dream to meet PM Modi came true.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is slated to take place in seven phases. On April 19 and 26, the first two stages were finished.

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