Saturday, January 14, 2012

Agitating Air India pilots call of stir

The stir by a section of Air India pilots which led to cancellation of 52 flights was called off on Saturday evening after the state-owned airline reportedly assured them that their pending salary and allowances would be cleared in phases before March. "Things have been sorted out. The management has assured us that they would pay a part of due allowances by 20th of this month, a part of rest by 20th February and clear our dues by March," AS Bhinder, President of Indian Commercial Pilot's Association -- an association of erstwhile Indian Airlines pilots, said.

The pilots would resume their duties, he added.
Protesting non-payment of their salary and allowances, a section of Air India pilots went on a "no-pay-no-work" agitation from midnight on Friday.
A total of 52 flights, 44 from Delhi and eight from Mumbai, were cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.
Top ICPA leaders--President Bhinder and General Secretary Rishabh Kapur--had two rounds of discussion with Air India CMD Rohit Nandan and top officials till late tonight.
They pointed out that the payment of productivity-linked incentive (PLI) and flying allowances have been pending since last August, sources said.
The flying allowances constitute 80% of the pay package. The airline management today paid the pilots their due salary of November 2011.
While most of the long-haul international flights to destinations like London, New York, Toronto, Tokyo and Chicago operated as scheduled, flights to or from Kabul, Kathmandu, Muscat and Abu Dhabi remained cancelled.
Confusion prevailed at the IGI Airport here with a large number of passengers queueing up at Air India counters to find out the status of their flights as several domestic flights were delayed and some others combined.
Sympathising with the pilots, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said "the employees have a problem, they have not been paid for one-two months. Allowances have not been paid for quite a few months now. We understand their problem but Air India's finances are in a bad condition. Their accounts were frozen yesterday (Friday)."
Singh said he would meet finance minister Pranab Mukherjee next week over the Air India issue.
"By the end of next week, may be we will be able to pay...I won't say all the allowances and salaries will be paid but most of it should be paid," he said, adding Air India had a long term financial problem.
Most of the flights cancelled were operated by Airbus A-320s, whereas operations by turbo-prop ATRs, Canadian Regional Jets and the long-haul Boeings continued as usual, airline sources said.
The agitating pilots reported for duty but said they were under stress due to the financial problems they were facing and therefore unable to undertake flight duties, airline sources said.
The ICPA, which has not given a call for the agitation, appealed to the agitators to return to work.
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India vs Australia (Day 2) - Live updates

Australia's Shaun Marsh, left, walks back to the pavilion after being caught for 11 runs of the bowling of Umesh Yadav. Umesh took three Australian wickets on the second day of the third Test match, at the WACA in Perth on Saturday.
AP Australia's Shaun Marsh, left, walks back to the pavilion after being caught for 11 runs of the bowling of Umesh Yadav. Umesh took three Australian wickets on the second day of the third Test match, at the WACA in Perth on Saturday.


12.10 Vinay Kumar continues the attack and Hussey on strike. Vinay Kumar strikes with the first ball of the new over. Hussey cuts the ball hard and the ball went straight to Sehwag at the point. It is the first wicket for Vinay Kumar. Australia 339 for 7 with Hussey's dismissal.
Now Australia moves to 337 for 6. Siddle pushes the ball from Yadav to the leg-side and takes two runs and he moves on to 30. Yadav bowls a fuller length delivery to Siddle. Siddle plays a defensive shot. At the end of 67 overs it is 339 for 6.
Yadav brought into the attack.
Just a few minutes, I will be right back for live coverage.
12.00 Dhoni brings in Vinay Kumar into the attack. Siddle is on strike. Siddle edges the ball through the vacant slip cordon for a four. Australia moves to 330 for 6. Siddle whips the next ball on the on-side and takes three runs and he is looking dangerous now at the crease. India has to rethink its strategies to take his wicket. A loud shout for LBW turned down by umpire Aleem Dar
11.55 It is Zaheer from the other end. Dhoni depends on the more crafty bowler in the Indian side. Hussey pushes the ball to the point and takes a quick single and moves on to 13. Australia leads India by 164 runs. Can India restrict the lead to 200? Zaheer comes round the wicket for change of the angle. Siddle pushes the ball on the leg-side and takes a single and moves to 18. Beautiful delivery from Zaheer. Zaheer angles in the ball to Hussey and hits him on the stomach. At the end of 65 overs it is 326 for 6 with Hussey on 13 and Siddle on 18.
11.50 Ishant continues and Siddle on strike. Beautifully bowled delivery. Siddle nudges the ball forward and gets an inside edge which misses the stumps and races to the boundary. Australia moves to 320 for 6 with Siddle on 13 and Hussey on 12. Siddle whips the ball on the leg-side and it is another four. Siddle looking dangerous. He moves quickly to 17. Australia 324 for 6 at the end of 64 overs.
11.45 Zaheer Khan continues and starts with a short delivery to Siddle. Beautiful shot from Siddle and he takes two runs and Australia moves to 313 for 6. Another beautiful shot from Siddle and this time he takes three runs and Australia moves to 316 for 6.
11.40 Ishant continues and Hussey on strike. Hussey guides the ball to the fine-leg for a boundary. Australia leads India by 150 runs. At the end of the 62nd over Australia is on 311 for 6 with Hussey on 12 and Siddle on 4.
Ujwal Deole says "With four wickets, there is some semblance of respite for Indian cricket fans. Indian economy is down for quite long, the Indian team is the only thing they can hang on to!"
Peter Siddle comes in next with Zaheer and Ishant on fire. Siddle plays a good shot and the ball races to the boundary. Siddle off the mark with the four and it's 307 for 6.
11.35 Zaheer continues and he takes the wicket of Brad Haddin with the first ball of the over. Once again a beautiful delivery which pitches up and swings and Haddin just edges the ball to the keeper Dhoni. Another wicket from Zaheer and it's 303 for 6. Can India bounce back from this position?
11.30 Ishant continues the attack from the other end with Hussey on strike. Ishant bowls a bouncer to Hussey. And Australia leads India by 140 runs. Ishant probes Hussey outside the off-stump in this over. Hussey drives through the mid-on and takes a couple and it's 303 for 5. Hussey moves to 8. The ball just falls short of Dravid in the third slip. Hussey edges the ball from Ishant to the slip cordon but it bounces in front of Dravid. At the end of 60 overs Australia 303 for 5 with Hussey on 8 and Haddin yet to open his account.
It's Brad Haddin in the crease. First ball he faces was a beauty from Zaheer. At the end of the 59th over it is 301 for 5 with Brad Haddin on 0 and Mike Hussey on 6.
11.24 Zaheer continues and it is Clarke on strike. Clarke plays the first ball straight to the mid-off fielder. Zaheer changes his angle coming round the wickets. And that's it. The change of angle from Zaheer does the magic. Clarke tries to play the defensive shot and the ball knicks the bat and Dhoni gleefully accepts the catch. Zaheer strikes and it is the dangerman Clarke. Australia now is 301 for 5. Indian bowlers are bowling in the right areas and taking wickets.
11.18 Ishant continues and Hussey on strike. Ishant bowls a probing line to Hussey. With the dismissal of David Warner, Indians can now bounce back and restrict the Australians. The last ball of the 58th over, Hussey smashes the ball to the cover boundary for a four and Australia crosses the 300-mark and it's 301 for 4.
11.15 Zaheer continues and it is Hussey on strike. A mis-field from Sehwag enables Hussey to take a single. Dhoni adopts a strong off-side field. A margin of error by the bowler on the leg side will be smashed for boundary. Good ball from Zaheer. The ball angles across Clarke and through to the keeper. It's 297 for four at the end of 57 overs.
Mike Hussey, the local man comes to the crease. Clarke takes a single off the next ball and it's 291 for 4. Clarke moves to 14 with Hussey yet to open his account. An attacking field by Dhoni. A good carry to the keeper. Ishant angling across the left-hander which Hussey leaves alone. Hussey plays a beautiful delivery from Ishant to the leg side and takes a single. The ball hit the bat and pad and balloons in the vacant short-leg area. Once again a outside edge for four. This time Clarke edges the ball to the vacant third slip and the ball races to the boundary. It's 296 for 4.
11.05 Ishant continues and Warner on strike. Warner smashes the ball but it went high up in the air and Umesh Yadav completes the catch. Wonderful innings comes to an end. Good catch by the young man. Australia moves to 290 for four. Ishant finally takes a wicket that too of Warner who smashed him all around the park.
11.00 Zaheer continues and Clarke on strike. Australia leads India by 117 runs. Wonderful bowling from Zaheer and the ball beats Clarke. Clarke takes a quick single and brings Warner on strike. Warner smashes the ball into the ground and it is six once more. It is the fifth sixth of the match. He moves on to 175. and it's 285 for three. Warner doesn't want to let go the momentum. Once again Warner cuts powerfully to the off-side for another boundary. He moves on to 179. Warner takes a quick single and it's 290 for three.
10.55: Ishant continues and Warner on strike. Wide delivery to start with. Warner pushes the ball to the mid-off region and takes a single which takes him to 169. It is a beautiful ball from Ishant which takes the outside edge of Clarke but runs away for four and it's 277 for three. Clarke pats the ball for a single which takes him to 12. Warner just tries to smash the ball but misses it completely and the ball whistles over the stumps to the keeper. It's 278 for three with Warner on 169 and Clarke on 12.
10.53: Zaheer Khan continues and Clarke on strike. Clarke finds the gap on the off-side and it is the first boundary for the Australian captain and he moves to 7. Zaheer bowls a splendid off-cutter to Michael Clarke and hits him on the stomach. It's 272 for three.
10.48 Ishant continues with Warner on strike. Warner slashes the first ball but misses it completely and taken by Dhoni behind the stumps. Warner cuts the ball and work for Tendulkar in the deep and Warner takes two runs and moves on to 160. Once again Warner smashes the ball but this time the ball races to the boundary and moves to 164. It's 264 for three. and the lead goes past 100. Another four from Warner this time through the point boundary and moves to 168 and it's 268 for three at the end of 52 overs.
10.45 Dhoni brings Zaheer into the atatck. Warner pats the ball on the on-side and takes a single and moves on to 158. Michael Clarke is on strike to Zaheer. Zaheer is bowling beautifully this morning and should have taken the wicket of Warner but Kohli puts it down in the first slip. It is 258 for three.
10.35 The umpires and fielders are back in the field. Indians are in a huddle. Will the Indians regroup together and restrict Australia within 350 or so? But they have to take the wicket of Warner early. Ishant bowls the first over after lunch with Warner on strike. Ishant bowls a beauty and beats Warner with an angliing ball outside the off-stump. Warner takes the first run after lunch break and it is 257 for three.
Welcome back to the live updates. (post-lunch session)
So see you after lunch i.e. at 10.30 a.m. Australia leads India by 95 runs.
It is lunch. The Indians had a mixed session on the field. If Kohli have taken the sitter it would have been a perfect lunch for the Indians. Umesh struck three telling blows before lunch and Australia from 149 for no loss (Day 1) moved to 256 for three. Indians bowled very well today particularly Zaheer khan and Umesh Yadav.
9.55 Umesh continues and it will be last over before lunch. Warner on strike. Warner whips the ball to the fine-leg and takes a single and moves to 155. Australia 254 for three. Well stopped by Sehwag in the gully and Clarke takes a single and Australia to 255 for three. Umesh now comes over the wicket to Warner. Warner takes a single of the fifth ball of 49th over. Australia moves to 256 for three. And it remains at 256 for three.
9.50 Vinay Kumar continues and Warner on strike. Vinay angles the ball in to Warner and an half-hearted appeal from the bowler. Warner whips the ball the fine-leg and takes comfortable two and moves on to 153. Australia 252 for three. Warner cuts the next ball to Tendulkar and a single is taken comfortably and he moves to 154 and it is 253 for three. Clarke to face the last ball of 48th over and plays defensively to mid-off fielder.
9.45 Umesh to continue and Warner (146) on strike. Umesh coming round the wickets to Warner. Warner taps the ball on the leg-side and takes two quick runs. It is excellent running by the Australians. He moves to 148. What an extra-drive from Warner and he takes three runs. These three runs brings the 150 for Warner and what an innings from this man. Clarke is off the mark with the two. At the end of 47 overs it is 250 for three (Warner on 151, Clarke 2)
9.41 Vinay Kumar continues with Warner on strike. A wide delivery. Warner pushes the ball to long-off and takea a single. This brings Clarke on strike. Dhoni sets an attacking field for Clarke. It is time that Yadav and Zaheer bowl in tandem. Beautiful delivery from Vinay which misses the stumps by inches and it is 243 for three.
Michael Clarke comes in. Umesh Yadav who is on song bowls a beautiful delivery to him and Clarke pats the ball the mid-on fielder.
9.35 Umesh continues the attack. Ricky Ponting on strike. Attacking field by Dhoni. Ponting plays a very good shot through the point and gets his first four of the innings which takes him to 7 and Australia to 242 for 2. Beautiful delivery from Umesh. A fuller length ball and Ponting plays carefully. Umesh strikes once again and it is now Ponting. The ball just scrapes through his defence and Ponting is comprehensive bowled. Umesh is on song. Australia 242 for 3. Umesh has taken all the wickets that has fallen in the morning. One wonders why Dhoni has not given the ball to him to share with Zaheer.
9.30 Vinay Kumar continues. Warner plays the first ball of the next over to the mid-wicket and takes a comfortable two runs. Beaufitul delivery from Vinay and Warner pushes the ball to the long-off and takes a single. Now crowd eagerly awaits as Ponting takes strike. He is off the mark straightway with a comfortable three. and Australia moves to 236 for 2. Warner plays the ball on the on-side for another couple and it is 238 for 2. (Warner 145 and Ponting 3)
The former Australian captain Ricky Ponting comes to the crease.
9.27 Umesh to continue and Warner on strike. Warner strikes the first ball of Umesh over to mid-off and takes a comfortable single and moves to 140. Will Warner hit his double century? Lucky four runs for Marsh as the ball misses the stumps by inches and the ball races to the boundary. Umesh gets his second wicket of the morning and Marsh is gone. Laxman in the slips takes a good catch and India takes their second wicket and it is 230 for 2. Marsh poor form in the series continues....
9.25 Vinay Kumar continues and Warner on strike. Warner takes an easy single of the first ball and moves to 139. It is 225 for one for Australia. At the 3end of 42 overs Australia remains at 225 for one and good over from Vinay Kumar.
9.20 Umesh Yadav continues and Marsh on strike. Marsh glides the ball through the on-side for his first boundary. Australia moves to 222 for 1 (double Nelson). Umesh now comes over the wicket for Marsh. Interesting indeed. This is the highest score for Marsh (5) in this series. Another bad delivery and Marsh guides the ball on the on-side and takes a couple of runs to move on to 7. Australia 224 for one.
9.10 Dhoni brings in Vinay Kumar with Warner on strike. Kohli fields the next ball at point. Vinay brings the ball in to Warner and the ball skids through and hits Warner and the physio is on the field to assist him. Warner is ready after getting treatment in his elbow. Warner smashes the next ball for three runs and Australia moves to 217 for 1. It brings Marsh, the local boy, on strike. Marsh is off the mark and Australia moves to 218 for 1. (Warner 138, Marsh 1).
It is Shaun Marsh at no.3. He is not in good form. Will this break brings the Indians back in the game. A good over from Umesh Yadav as he gets a wicket. It is 214 for 1.
9.05 Will the drinks break bring fortunes for India? It is Umesh Yadav and Warner on strike. Warner smashes the short pitched delivery through the point for a boundary. Warner taps the next ball to the point for a single and he moves to 135 and Cowan on 74. Australia 214 for no loss. At last it is a breakthrough for India and Cowan goes. Umesh Yadav brings the ball in and Cowan tries to play it on the offside but gets an inside edge and the ball goes through to hit the stumps. It is 214 for 1.
8.58 Cowan plays the first ball of Sehwag's over for a boundary. Cowan moves to 73. Sehwag appeals and umpire is unmoved. Cowan cuts the next ball to deep point and takes a single. Short pitched ball and Warner plays the ball and takes a single. Australia 209 for no loss and it is drinks. In the 15 overs of the morning session, Australia scores 60 runs. Australians are up by 48 runs.
8.55 Umesh Yadav replaces Zaheer Khan. Warner on strike. He smashes the ball over the covers and takes a comfortable three. Umesh pitches the ball up and Warner goes through with his shot. It is really bad bowling from Umesh. Cowan pulls the next ball to the boundary and Australian on song. Australia reaches 200 runs in just 36.2 overs. It is 202 for no loss. Warner on 129 and Cowan on 68. Cowan takes a single off the next ball and once again Warner on strike. At the end of 37 overs Australia moves to 203 for no loss (Cowan 69 and Warner 129)
8.50 Sehwag continues and Cowan on strike. Cowan punches the ball and takes a couple. The throw is not good enough and the ball bounces awkwardly in front of Dhoni and Cowan survives. A good over from Sehwag only two runs and it is 195 for no loss.
8.45 Zaheer the best bowler in the Indian attack continues. What a nightmare for the bowler, Kohli drops a sitter. The ball just angling in and takes the outside edge and Kohli a good fielder drops a sitter. Warner survives. Zaheer bowling beautifully bears the brunt. Indian agony continues..... Warner drives firmly straight to Gambhir at covers. An eventful over from Zaheer and Australia remains at 193 for no loss.
8.43 Dhoni brings Sehwag into the attack. Interesting change. Are Indians really missing Ashwin or Ojha? Cowan plays a shot to fine leg and takes a couple of runs and he moves on to 58 and Australia to 189 for no loss. Widish delivery and Cowan cuts the ball through the point for a boundary. It is indeed a bad ball bowling outside the off stump giving width for the batsman. At the end of 34 overs it is 193 for no loss with Cowan on 62 and Warner on 126.
8.40 With the way Australians are batting, Dhoni has to rethink his strategies. Zaheer continues and Cowan on strike. Outside edge and doesn't carry to Sehwag at gully. Wonderful delivery from Zaheer. Zaheer induces Cowan to play the shot and the ball misses the outside edge. Next ball Cowan glances the ball to the fine leg and takes a single. Australia 187 for no loss. Well bowled by Zaheer and a very good over.
8.35 Ishant continues and Wwarner plays the ball on the off-side and Gambhir stops the ball by diving to his left. Ishant bowls a probing length to Cowan in this over. Cowan whips the ball off his hips and Vinay Kumar fields and a single is taken which moves Australia to 182 for no loss. . Warners just smashes the ball over the mid-wicket for another boundary. Australia moves to 186 for no loss with Warner on 126 and Cowan on 55.
8.30 Zaheer continues. Cowan and Warner are playing contrasting cricket. Cowan plays a waiting game and Warner just smashes the bowler all around the park. Cowan runs the next ball to the third-man and takes a couple to move on to 53 and it is 180 for no loss. Next ball is a beauty from Zaheer which just misses the outside edge of Cowan. Cowan takes a single of the last ball of 31 overs. Australia 181 for no loss (Cowan 54 and Warner 122).
8.25 Ishant to continue and Warner on strike. Ishant now coming around the wickets. Warner smashes the first ball of over to the mid-off boundary for a beautiful six. It is his third six of the innings. Warners plays the next ball to the mid-on and takes a quick single and moves on to 122. For Cowan Ishant comes over the wicket and angles the ball away from the left-hander. Cowan plays a defensive shot and it is a mis-field in the covers and he easily takes a single and moves on 51. Ishant finishes the over with a beautiful delivery to Warner. The ball just misses the bat and through to Dhoni. Australia remains at 178 for no loss.
8.20 Zaheer continues and Cowan on strike. Zaheer bowls a probing length to Cowan. Cowan plays a shot through point and reaches his half-century. It is the second fifty of Cowan's career. Just two runs of the over and it is 170 for no loss.
8.15 It is Warner on strike and Ishant continues. Good delivery to start the over from Ishant. Good delivery, good leave and good carry to the keeper Dhoni. Indians are bowling much better this morning but they have to bowl in the right areas to get wickets. Warner smashes the next ball through the mid-off boundary for a four. An interesting statistics Australia has scored more than 500 runs without losing a wicket since Sydney Test match. At the end of 28 overs it is 168 for no loss with Warner on 115 and Cowan on 48.
8.10 Zaheer continues and Warner goes through with the shot and it beats the point fielder to reach the bounday. Warner scores his first boundary of the morning and moves to 108. Warner pushes the next ball to Umesh Yadav at mid-off. Warner times his shot to the leg side and takes three runs comfortably and Australia leads India by three runs. Cowan plays a defensive shot and still on 48. Zaheer ends the over and it is 164 for no loss.
8.08 Warner on 104 and Cowan on 46. Ishant from the other end just angles the first ball of the over across Cowan and Dhoni collects it. Cowan once again leaves the ball alone outside the off-stump. An outswinger to the left-hander. Indian bowlers has to attack on the first session. Cowan just taps the ball to the square leg and Zaheer fields. Cowan takes couple of runs and moves on to 48. Australia moves to 157 for no loss.
8.05 Zaheer Khan bowls a beautiful delivery which hits the outside edge of Cowan and runs away through the slips for the first four of the morning. Australia moves to 154 for no loss. Cowan just taps Zaheer on the on-side for a single. Zaheer just angles the ball into Warner and he just plays it safely to the point fielder. Australia remains at 155 for no loss.
8.00 Ishant starts the proceedings with Cowan on strike. Australia trails by just 12 runs. Beautiful delivery from Ishant just hitting the bat and first run taken of the morning and Cowan moves to 41. and it is 150 for Australia. Australia remains 150 for no loss.
The plays starts with the players are in the ground.
An interesting tweet from Manikantan Menon is "Are we still alive".
We will wait and see. The game starts exactly at 8.00 a.m. IST.
A PTI report quoted Lara as saying on Indian captain Dhoni “I think he deserves a chance. He had success in the World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the 50 over games. I think given his achievements so far, he deserves another chance and everyone should come out and support him.”
Will it be a repeat of Melbourne and Sydney or be different. Millions of Indian fans expect a turnaround by this beleaguered side. Can the Indian bowlers led by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma skittle out Australia early and try to make a match of it. Or will it be the same old story of Australia decimating India as happened in Melbourne and Sydney. India having lost 6 matches abroad including four in England will have to make a match out of this.
An interesting statistics. Australia has scored more than 700 runs losing only a wicket right from the Sydney Test till Day one of Perth Test.
Premjit Lakshminarayan says "Is this a T-20 game ? M.S why wait till 2013 ? What about the golden oldies retirement plans. Rohit Sharma - wait for only few more years please."
Let us have a look of what happened on Day one as a slideshow.
Australia takes the first day's honours convincingly having bowled out India for a meagre 161. In reply, David Warner makes a stunning century and Australia at close were 149 for no loss. You want to have a look at Day one proceedings click here.
Welcome to the live updates of Day two of the third Test match at WACA, Perth.
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Ten killed in stampede

At least 10 people were killed when a stampede broke out in Hussain Tekri near Jaora town in the district on the occasion of Chellum, a Muslim religious observation that comes after Moharram.
The stamped broke out when a huge crowd gathered at Hussain Tekri’s main entry to take part in Chehllum were pushed backward by the police to regulate their entry after midnight.
“Six women and four men were killed in the incident,” Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Vyas said, adding they were crushed under the weight of many persons present at the spot.
While bodies of 10 persons were found at one place, two others were traced slightly away from the place where the incident took place.
However, police suspect that they might have succumbed due to severe cold.
Usually, persons suffering from mental illness visit the place with a belief that the visit to the sacred place will cure them of their problems.
Ratlam Collector R.K. Sharma has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and announced as ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 each to the victims.
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