Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed strong concern over the ongoing disruption caused by mass flight cancellations by IndiGo, telling NDA MPs that “people should not be troubled, face inconvenience.”
“Rules and laws are good, but in order to correct the system, it is not right to harass people,” the Prime Minister said.
His remarks, shared by Union Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, came as the crisis at the country’s largest airline entered its eighth straight day, with IndiGo cancelling nearly 180 flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad on Tuesday, as per PTI sources.
Rijiju said the Prime Minister raised the issue during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting and made it clear that passengers’ comfort and convenience must remain paramount.
“During the NDA parliamentary meeting, the Prime Minister told NDA MPs that people should not be troubled, face inconvenience. Rules and laws are good, but in order to correct the system, it is not right to harass people,” the minister quoted the Prime Minister as saying, referring to the continuing disruptions that have stranded thousands of fliers.
According to PTI, the cancellations on Tuesday included 58 flights to and from Hyderabad and over 120 from Bengaluru, with indications that IndiGo may lose some routes during the winter schedule as a penalty for the prolonged crisis.
The airline cancelled more than 560 flights from six metro airports on Monday alone.
PM MODI STRESSED REFORMS TO EASE LIVES: RIJIJU
Sharing more details of the NDA meeting, Rijiju said all allies congratulated the Prime Minister on the NDA’s victory in Bihar.
“He gave excellent guidelines and guidance to all the NDA MPs on what we should do for the country, our constituencies, and our states,” Rijiju said.
He added that PM Modi pushed for broad-based reform.
“The Prime Minister has laid great emphasis on reforms to improve people’s lives. Reforms don’t just mean economic reforms or financial reforms. He meant reforms to make the lives of ordinary people in the country easier and more comfortable. Reforms in every sector,” Rijiju told reporters.
He added the government would use the Lok Sabha debate on election reforms to rebut misinformation.
“Today, Lok Sabha will discuss election reform. Opposition will speak. The government will also clear the delusion that has been created. The government will clarify the wrong narrative being set regarding people’s trust and their participation in election processes,” Rijiju said.
The minister also dismissed Opposition claims that the timing of the ‘Vande Mataram’ discussion was politically motivated.
“Some Opposition members have said that the ‘Vande Mataram’ discussion is being held because of the election. It is wrong to say so,” he said.
“The 150th anniversary was on the 7th of November. Do you celebrate a birthday in advance?,” he asked.
Rijiju also shared that Home Minister Amit Shah would initiate the two-day debate in the Rajya Sabha, adding, “We don’t set the dates for such events, we celebrate them.”
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