India News

Modi-Shah-Jaitley troika meet to discuss economy, strategy to counter attacks over slowdown

Published

9 years ago

October 5, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The meeting at Prime Minister’s 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence comes a day after he lashed out at his critics and said economy was on the right track

A day after he criticised the “handful of people” who have been critical of his government’s economic policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is finally meeting with Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and BJP national president Amit Shah ostensibly to discuss the economy.

The meeting, currently underway at the Prime Minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence, comes in the backdrop of mounting criticism of Jaitley’s inability to stabilize the economy and scathing attacks by BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie directed at the PM and his finance minister over demonetisation and a hasty GST rollout.

That the Prime Minister could summon Jaitley and Shah to discuss ways of changing the perception of an impending doom in the Indian economy and effectively countering claims made by critics – especially by BJP insiders – over the economic slowdown, was a foregone conclusion.

However, what will be interesting to look out for is the result of Thursday’s meeting of the Modi-Shah-Jaitley troika, which former Union minister and BJP veteran Arun Shourie has repeatedly derided as the “government of two and a half persons”.

The importance of the meeting can be gauged by the fact that Shah had to cut short his three-day tour of Kerala and Karnataka to reach New Delhi on Thursday for the discussions with Modi and Jaitley.

Sources said that the meeting has two key agendas – discuss ways of changing the narrative over the fledgling economy and offset the political damage that the BJP is likely to face if the Opposition and more leaders from within the BJP-RSS saffron parivar continue with stinging criticism of the Centre – Modi and Jaitley in particular – over flawed economic policies.

While no immediate clarity is expected on measures that the government would undertake, it is likely that Jaitley’s ministry could fasten the pace of announcing a stimulus package for economic revival.

The meeting is taking place a day after Modi was forced to personally counter the criticism being hurled at his government for its perceived failure to sustain India’s economic growth, create jobs and deliver on its tall poll promises of putting the country on an unprecedented upward growth trajectory.

Addressing a meeting of Company Secretaries, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on Wednesday that a “handful of people” were trying to spread a wave of pessimism and despair based on the slowdown experienced during just a quarter – a reference to the GDP growth rate hitting a three-year low of 5.7 per cent.

“I will not jeopardise the future of the country for my present gains,” Modi had said, while adding: “There are some people who sleep well only after they spread a feeling of pessimism. We need to recognise such people”.

However, even though the Prime Minister tried hard to project as if all was well with the economy and that India’s growth story was still on the right track despite evidence to the contrary, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had already punctured Modi’s claims a few hours before his address to the Company Secretaries by reducing India’s growth projections for this fiscal from 7.3 per cent to 6.7 per cent.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

8 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

13 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

18 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.