AI crash victims kin get observer for relief

MANGALORE: As a measure to overcome the obstacles in the disbursing compensation to the families of air crash victims, Air India has come forward to appoint an observer t o oversee the compensation distribution process.Air India Express chief operating officer S Chandrakumar told reporters on Monday that R P Shahi, a retired joint director from civil aviation ministry, had been appointed as the observer.The observer would supervise the process of distributing compensation from Dec 12, he added. He also informed that HD Nanavathi of Mulla and Mulla Associates would be in the city for five days and restart the process of distributing compensation.Explaining that Air India was able to distribute compensation to 70 families fully and seven families partially, he said his solicitors would reach the target in the next five days’ negotiation process.He added that the demand for higher amount of compensation could be determined in courts, while victims’ families can receive the amount negotiated during the meeting with solicitors.He conducted a meeting with members of the Mangalore Air Crash Victims Family Members Association. Legal adviser of Mangalore Air Crash Victims Family Members Association Varadaraj Kayyangal said the association had sought directions from Union Civil Aviation minister Vayalar Ravi to appoint observer. He said that the negotiation process was like bargaining where the solicitor never paid attention to crash victims' kin.