PM defers reception for UPA-II’s one-year bash

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the loss of lives in the air crash at the Mangalore airport Saturday and ordered Rs.200,000 for the families of the dead and Rs.50,000 for the injured.

The prime minister spoke to both Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Home Minister P. Chidambaram for an update on the relief and rescue operations, according to his media advisor.

The prime minister also spoke with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and decided to postpone an event scheduled at his official residence Saturday evening to celebrate his government’s one year in office during its second tenure.

“The prime minister has instructed that Rs.200,000 for the families of those killed and Rs.50,000 for those injured may be sanctioned from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and that all possible assistance may be provided to the bereaved families,” the media advisor said.

“As a mark of respect to those who perished in this tragic incident, the function today at the prime minister’s residence to mark the completion of the first year of the second term of the UPA government has been postponed.”