Swaraj condoles Khandu's death
Condoling the death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj has emphasised on the need for a stricter air safety code to prevent helicopter mishaps.
"We must devise a stricter air safety code to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future," Swaraj said on Twitter.
Khandu died in a helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh.
Swaraj's demand for a stricter air safety code has come at a time when the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, which also covers Civil Aviation, has noted with concern the pressure put on pilots to fly chartered helicopters and state government aircraft even in adverse weather conditions or when the chopper has minor defects.
The Committee has recommended penal action against those guilty of doing so, including the pilots. It also calls for empowering pilots to refuse to fly in bad weather or when the helicopter has some technical defects.
It also expressed concern over the instances of forceful landings, take offs of helicopters in low visibility, bad weather and even during nights, which are serious breaches of aviation security norms.
Swaraj condoled the death of Khandu and others travelling with him in the helicopter.
"I am sorry to know about the demise of Dorjee Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The co-passengers have also died in the crash. My sympathies for the bereaved families."
The BJP Core Group had condoled Khandu's death in its meeting yesterday.
