The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking Rs 10 crore as compensation for their members, who died of Covid19 and even for those who got infected by the virus. The PIL even seeks priority in vaccination for pilots and even a separate policy for them as they are continuously working to smoothly enforce the Vande Bharat mission going on since last year to evacuate stranded Indians in other countries.
The PIL states that at least 13 pilots have died of Covid19 since March last year. "Everyone of us are working diligently to enforce the Vande Bharat mission to evacuate stranded Indians and even to air transport the medical supplies during the second wave of the pandemic," the PIL stated.
The plea highlights the fact that several pilots got infected during the mission and most of them are running the risk of permanent or temporary disability owing to the after effects of the Covid virus including Mucormycosis aka Black Fungus.
The petition further highlights that several pilots have faced massive pay cuts owing to the pandemic since last one year and thus the Union government must consider creating a comprehensive insurance policy for their welfare. The plea also seeks a declaration that they are the first responders as Air Transportation Workers so that they could be given priority in vaccination.
The plea also states that the Indian Pilots Guild had made a representation to the government with similar reliefs but the same continues to be unanswered.
The PIL is likely to be heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, in due course.
