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Aviation Ministry convenes meeting of recognised AI unions

NEW DELHI: With no end in sight to the pilots' strike that entered 10th day on Thursday, the civil aviation ministry has convened a meeting of all recognised trade unions of Air India next week to discuss issues relating to career progression and pay-scales. "I am calling a meeting of all the recognised trade unions of Air India next week to discuss the career progression issues, including promotions also," civil aviation minister Ajit Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

The move is aimed at checking further labour trouble and garnering support for the process of implementing the post-merger integration of Air India employees, as resentment is expected over salaries and career progression issues.

The Dharmadhikari Committee, which has recommended several measures on HR integration issues in post-merger Air India, is likely to be taken up for discussion at the meeting. 

However, the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which has been de-recognised by the airline for leading the pilots' stir over similar issues, is not likely to be part of the discussion as only "recognised" unions are being invited.

With the civil aviation minister offering to hold talks unconditionally and promising that the airline would not be vindictive, the IPG has also stated they were open to talks to resolve the deadlock, but wanted the sacking of 71 of their colleagues and its derecognition to be revoked. — PTI

New Delhi: India and Pakistan have tightened security on both sides of the Wagah International Border in view of intelligence warning about a possible terror attack on the key trading post between the two nations. 

The development comes in view of an alert issued by the Pakistan security agencies that militant outfits including Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) could target the trading post. Consequently, more Pakistan Rangers have been deployed at the post with India also deploying an additional battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF).

The warning from the Pakistan intelligence agencies comes at a time when both sides are trying hard to reduce the trust deficit and normalize bilateral ties that were hit badly after the terror attacks in Mumbai. 

In the past, several Pakistan-based terrorist outfits have carried out attacks to derail peace efforts being taken by the both the countries. Pakistan has issued similar terror alerts in past also fearing an attack from the Teherek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which did not materialise.

Wankhede row: SRK wants apology, says he was abused

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday hit out at reports that he was drunk and misbehaved with officials at the Wankhede stadium and said that he deserved an apology. "They should apologise to me," Shah Rukh told reporters. He alleged that the staff at the stadium on Wednesday night was high-handed and that they misbehaved with children, including little girls. 

"It won't change my life if I am not allowed into the stadium," SRK said.

He said: "Yes, I was abusing as they were insulting me. I will not deny the fact that I abused, was provoked when someone abused me in Marathi."

Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday faced a lifetime ban from entering the Wankhede Stadium after allegedly turning up drunk at the ground and misbehaving with security guards and cricket officials.

The incident took place on Wednesday night after his team beat Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League match at the stadium.

Shah Rukh and his entourage wanted to celebrate after the presentation ceremony but he was not allowed to do so, officials said. He allegedly misbehaved with an elderly guard and pushed him. When Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials intervened, he is said to have abused them.

"This is a grave matter. I have called for an urgent meeting and we shall discuss the matter following which we will decide the future course of action," Union minister and MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh said.

A decision on a lifetime ban would be taken only after the meeting of all members from the managing committee of MCA next week, MCA Joint Secretary Nitin Dalal said.

Giving details, MCA treasurer Ravi Sawant said: "He pushed the security guard and misbehaved with him. He also used bad language with security officials. When we tried to intervene, he yelled out expletives at us."

Sawant said Shah Rukh, flanked by his bodyguards, went to the players' dressing rooms to congratulate them. He then came down and started going towards the ground.

"When the security personnel told him that he cannot do so, he abused the guard and his men manhandled the security personnel."

Assistant Commissioner of Police Iqbal Shaikh agreed that the actor was drunk and said police were looking into the matter.

"Shah Rukh was drunk. He was smelling of alcohol but he was not drinking at the Wankhede stadium. But it is not an offence. He was also abusing and threatening the MCA and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) officials," said Sheikh.

What irked Shah Rukh was that MCA officials switched off the floodlights.

Sheikh, who is also a member of the MCA managing committee, was present at the ground on match duty and had to rush to prevent the situation from turning ugly.

"I took him out and separated him because the incident was turning ugly. While being taken away he was showering abuses on MCA and BCCI officials. We are investigating the matter," said Sheikh.

MCA filed a complaint with Mumbai's Marine Drive police station.

As the controversy swirled, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said a decision would be taken only after getting the versions of all those involved.

"So far no decision has been taken on the ban," Shukla, who is also vice president of BCCI, said in New Delhi.

He added that he would be talking to the MCA as well as Shah Rukh.

The scuffle is unwelcome news for the star, who was in the spotlight in January this year for slapping director Shirish Kunder at a party hosted by Sanjay Dutt.

Shah Rukh's colleagues in Bollywood appeared to be strangely quiet at this latest controversy with no immediate reactions. — IANS