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Scroll.in
8 hours ago
- General
- Scroll.in
Ahmedabad plane crash: DNA confirms identities of 223 of those killed
Eight days after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the identities of 220 persons who died have been confirmed through DNA testing, The New Indian Express reported on Friday. The bodies of 204 persons have been handed over to their families as of 11.50 am on Friday, Civil Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Joshi told the newspaper. This includes the bodies of two persons who succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital. On June 12, Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which was en route to London's Gatwick airport from Ahmedabad, crashed just 33 seconds after taking off. This is being viewed as the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. There were 242 people aboard the aircraft. One passenger survived with ' impact injuries '. Thirty-four persons were also killed on the ground after the plane crashed into the hostel building of the BJ Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad, according to Air India. Rakesh Joshi, the civil hospital superintendent, told The New Indian Express that among the 223 bodies that have been identified, 168 were Indians, 36 British citizens, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. Another 11 persons were those who were not in the aircraft, but were in buildings into which it crashed. The remains of 15 victims were transported by air, while 189 were sent via road, the doctor added. Meanwhile, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is yet to decide whether flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the aircraft that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Thursday. The decision will be taken 'after due assessment of all technical, safety, and security considerations'. The ministry issued the clarification after certain media outlets reported that the recorders were being sent abroad for analysis. 'The Ministry of Civil Aviation urge all stakeholders to refrain from speculation on such sensitive matters and to allow the investigative process to proceed with the seriousness and professionalism it warrants,' the statement added. The Tata Group's chairman N Chandrasekaran on Thursday told Times Now that one of the engines of the Air India plane that crashed was new and installed in March, while the other was installed in 2023 and was not due for servicing until December.
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Govt may use different base years for GDP, retail inflation
The government may use different base years for calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and retail inflation (measured through the Consumer Price Index), government sources told The New Indian Express (TNIE). According to the sources, the base year for GDP will likely be 2022–23, while that for CPI will be 2023–24. Currently, both GDP and CPI calculations are based on the 2011–12 base year. '2022–23 is a natural choice for the GDP base year, as the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), and the Household Consumption Survey were conducted during that year,' said a government source, who declined to be named. The official added that the decision to use a different base year (2023–24) for CPI was made because the price collection survey only started in January 2024. Justifying the use of different base years, the official said both GDP and CPI are independent statistical indicators, and it is not unusual for their base years to differ. 'The structure of the economy does not change much in one year,' the official noted. According to sources, the weightage of food in the new CPI basket is expected to decline, as household consumption surveys from both 2022–23 and 2023–24 showed a reduced share of food in monthly household expenditure compared to 2011–12. As per the 2023–24 Monthly Household Consumption Survey, the food expenditure share has fallen from 52.90% in 2011–12 to 47% in rural areas, and from 46.62% to 40% in urban areas. The share of cereals and cereal substitutes in overall expenditure is now about 4.99% in rural areas and 3.8% in urban areas. Currently, food accounts for 44.6% of the combined Consumer Price Index, which tracks retail inflation. Cereals alone have a weightage of nearly 10% in the CPI. The new CPI basket will include a larger number of items—up from the current 300 to 400—whose prices will be tracked. The method of price collection may also change, the official said. For the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), the government is considering a shift from a fixed-base index to a chain-based index. Unlike fixed-base indices that use a single base year, chain-based indices use the preceding period as the base for each calculation. The advisory committee on base year revisions is yet to submit its final report. Sources said the report is expected in the coming months, after which dry runs will be conducted for 2–3 months. The new base years are likely to come into effect from 2026–27.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Derailment attempt damages, breaks down train engine near Salem; Madras High Court judges escape unhurt
An apparent act of sabotage was narrowly averted on Tuesday night when unknown individuals placed an iron rail across the tracks in Salem district, aiming to derail the Yercaud-Chennai Express, according to a report by The New Indian Express. ADVERTISEMENT At approximately 9:45 p.m., as the train moved between Mavelipalayam and Magudanchavadi stations, the engine collided with the obstructing iron piece, said the report. The rail was dragged for nearly a kilometre before the locomotive came to a standstill due to mechanical failure. The incident occurred near Magudanchavadi while the train was en route from Erode to Chennai Central. Among the passengers were three sitting judges of the Madras High Court and several retired judges, reportedly returning from a memorial service. Following the mishap, teams from Erode and Salem railway stations, along with the railway police, arrived promptly to assess the situation. TNIE reported that despite efforts to restore the damaged engine, it remained non-functional after 90 minutes. A replacement locomotive was then dispatched from Salem, allowing the train to resume its journey at 11:31 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT Fortunately, none of the passengers sustained injuries. Railway officials later confirmed that all safety measures were taken and that the train was able to proceed with minimal delay once the new engine was attached. ADVERTISEMENT Railway police have launched an investigation and registered a case under two provisions of the Railways Act, 1989. K. Babu, Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police told TNIE that officers are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and have collected material evidence from the site.'A case has been registered under two sections of the Railways Act, 1989. Evidence has been collected from the scene, and we are also looking into nearby CCTV footage. Further investigations are on,' Babu told TNIE. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Derailment attempt damages, breaks down train engine near Salem; Madras High Court judges escape unhurt
An apparent act of sabotage was narrowly averted on Tuesday night when unknown individuals placed an iron rail across the tracks in Salem district, aiming to derail the Yercaud-Chennai Express , according to a report by The New Indian Express. At approximately 9:45 p.m., as the train moved between Mavelipalayam and Magudanchavadi stations, the engine collided with the obstructing iron piece, said the report. The rail was dragged for nearly a kilometre before the locomotive came to a standstill due to mechanical failure. The incident occurred near Magudanchavadi while the train was en route from Erode to Chennai Central. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Photos Captured the Exact Wrong Moment Read More Undo Among the passengers were three sitting judges of the Madras High Court and several retired judges, reportedly returning from a memorial service. Swift response & engine replacement Following the mishap, teams from Erode and Salem railway stations, along with the railway police, arrived promptly to assess the situation. Live Events TNIE reported that despite efforts to restore the damaged engine, it remained non-functional after 90 minutes. A replacement locomotive was then dispatched from Salem, allowing the train to resume its journey at 11:31 p.m. Fortunately, none of the passengers sustained injuries. Railway officials later confirmed that all safety measures were taken and that the train was able to proceed with minimal delay once the new engine was attached. Police probe & initial theories Railway police have launched an investigation and registered a case under two provisions of the Railways Act, 1989. K. Babu, Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police told TNIE that officers are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and have collected material evidence from the site. 'A case has been registered under two sections of the Railways Act, 1989. Evidence has been collected from the scene, and we are also looking into nearby CCTV footage. Further investigations are on,' Babu told TNIE.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'We will not release': Karnataka distributor defies Supreme Court order on ‘Thug Life'
Despite a Supreme Court directive clearing the way for the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' in Karnataka, the film's local distributor has firmly stated he has no intention of screening it in the state, The New Indian Express reported. Venkatesh Kamalakar, who had acquired the distribution rights for Karnataka under the banner of VR Films, confirmed that he is opting out of the release altogether. 'We are not planning to release, and we will not release. We had taken the distribution rights for Thug Life but couldn't proceed earlier due to the issues already known,' Venkatesh told the publication. With the film already into its third week since release, he dismissed the possibility of a delayed rollout. 'It's already been two weeks. The film is underperforming everywhere, collections are falling, and multiplexes are not enthusiastic. They're now offering only 30 per cent of what we originally expected,' he said. (Also Read: 'Thug Life' row: Pro-Kannada outfit chief says Kamal Haasan 'should have apologised') Insiders also pointed to financial disputes between the production team and distributor as another reason for the impasse. According to the report, the producers have not repaid a significant advance, reportedly amounting to several crores, to the distributor, and the matter remains unresolved. While Venkatesh refrained from discussing specifics of the business deal, he made it clear that the producers cannot release the film in Karnataka through another channel without settling matters first. 'If the production house wants to release the film directly, they can go through another distributor. But they can only take that call after the settlement is made,' he said. Asked whether another distributor could intervene and take over the release, he responded unequivocally, 'No. Without our confirmation, they cannot distribute it. We haven't received any intimation from the producers or multiplex chains about a Karnataka release. And to be honest, we're not interested anymore.' (Also Read: Bengaluru beats hill stations Lonavala, Srinagar with unusually cool temperatures)
