Indian PM condoles loss of lives in Air India plane crash

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday condoled the loss of lives in the air crash at the Mangalore airport and ordered 200,000 rupees (4,000 U.S. dollars) for the families of the victims and 50,000 (1,000 U.S. dollars) for the injured.

Singh 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 200,000 rupees for the families of those killed and 50,000 rupees 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 Prime Minister's Office said.

Source:Xinhua