PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed concern over the chaos caused by IndiGo’s widespread flight cancellations, saying that “rules and laws are in order to correct the system and not to harass the people.” Speaking to reporters after the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, the Union parliamentary and minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said, “during the NDA parliamentary meeting the Prime Minister told NDA MPs that people should not be troubled and face inconvenience.” “Rules and laws are good but in order to correct the system it is not right to harass people,” he added.The prime minister’s remarks come after IndiGo’s operational crisis entered its eighth consecutive day, with more than 250 flights cancelled across major airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded nationwide. The crisis comes from the rollout of revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, which mandate longer weekly rest for pilots, stricter night-duty limits and fewer night landings. Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, had initially opposed the rules, but they were implemented in phases in July and November following Delhi High Court directions. IndiGo has now secured temporary relaxations in the second phase of the norms until February 10. According to the civil aviation ministry, between November 21 and December 7, a total of 9,55,591 PNRs were cancelled and refunded, amounting to Rs 827 crore in refunds. Of the 9,000 delayed bags, around 4,500 have been delivered, while the rest are expected to be returned within 36 hours.Rijiju further asserted that the PM also used the NDA meeting to urge MPs to prioritise reforms and connect with the youth. “All NDA leaders congratulated PM Modi for the NDA’s victory in the Bihar elections. PM Modi guided all the NDA MPs to work for their respective constituencies. The PM emphasised undertaking reforms across all sectors to ease the public’s lives and ensure they face no problems,” he said.”The PM said that laws should help people. He also urged the MPs to connect with the youth. I express my gratitude to the PM for this guidance. It was a very good meeting of the NDA parliamentary party,” he added.The Union minister further stated that the government intends to counter the Opposition’s claims during Lok Sabha discussions on election reforms today.”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,” he said.
