Lower rates to carry coffins: Delhi police to airlines

New Delhi: Bringing in relief to the bereaved family members who have lost their loved ones, the Delhi police has asked several airlines to come forward to carry the mortal remains of persons at lower prices. Jet Airways has decided to give 50 per cent concession to carry coffins from Delhi to eight Northeast states with immediate effect. Delhi police joint commissioner Robin Hibu on December 12, 2016, wrote a letter in which he requested various airlines for concession for carrying coffins from the national capital to the Northeast states. “More than 12 lakh people are working in different unorganised sectors like BPOs, malls, private companies, hospitals, hotel industry, and as security guards etc., from the Northeast states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. These employees are getting very low wages and they face great difficulty in case of death in cities. Unfortunately, there is no support from these sectors and we find ourselves helpless,” said Mr Hibu in his letter. In response to his letter, the Jet Airways on December 28, 2016, extended its support and said the arlines will  give 50 per cent concession to carry coffins from Delhi to the Northeast states.

“Under corporate social responsibly initiative of your carrier, can I request you to explore for giving some percentage of concession for carrying coffins to the Northeast states on referral letter issued from the Delhi office of the nodal officer for Northeast people to ensure the genuineness of the case?” Mr Hibu asked several airlines.

In response to his letter, the Jet Airways on December 28, 2016, extended its support and replied, “Jet Airways is always at the forefront in assisting the poor and underprivileged people. In an effort to support your initiative, Jet Airways is pleased to confirm the following specially worked out rates for the carriage of human remains from Delhi. Please note that some of these rates represent around 50 per cent reduction on the applicable rates, which we would have charged in normal circumstance,” said Mr Pradeep Kumar, senior vice president (cargo) of Jet Airways.

“At this stage, please note that we have not worked the rates from all the other cities as it is rather very difficult for us to construct a rate. However, if there are any specific cities where you expect higher probability of such carriage, we will work out separately the rate application from such city,” he added in his reply.