New Delhi, Nov 21: In a tragic incident, an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, and the pilot lost his life.

Taking it to X, IAF said, “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”

It further added that, “A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

The crash occurred during the biennial Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions. The event has seen major announcements this week.

Notably, this is the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft, the first one being in 2024 near Jaisalmer.

In March 2024, a Tejas fighter went down in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, the first such accident in the aircraft’s 23-year history since its maiden test flight in 2001. The pilot ejected safely in that case.

LCA Tejas is a 4.5-generation, all-weather and multi-role fighter aircraft. The aircraft is designed to be a multi-role aircraft capable of taking up offensive air support, close combat and ground attack roles at ease.

It is also designed to undertake ground maritime operations.

At the Dubai Air Show, India and Germany, on November 19, revived high-technology defence collaboration after nearly three decades, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signing a landmark contract with German state-backed sensor major HENSOLDT.

The pact, finalised on Day 3 of the event, focuses on the joint development of a cutting-edge LiDAR-based Obstacle Avoidance System (OAS) for Indian military helicopters. This breakthrough has already generated significant buzz across global aerospace circles.

The deal for this LiDAR-based Obstacle Avoidance System (OAS), signed by Indian DPSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and German government-backed HENSOLDT, marks a significant return to high-technology cooperation after earlier partnerships in aerospace and maritime programmes.

Bengaluru, Nov 21: The BJP on Friday mocked the Congress-led government in Karnataka over the alleged leadership crisis in the state and dared Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to confirm that Siddaramaiah will continue as the state Chief Minister for the full term.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, released a poster on the completion of 2.5 years of the Siddaramaiah government, criticising it for the “price hike” of essential commodities.

The poster was titled ‘Two-and-a-Half Years: A Heavy Burden on Kannadigas – Exposing the Congress Government’s Misdeeds’.

He accused the government of being a “burden” on the people and a “disaster” for the farmers.

The BJP leader claimed that “Siddaramaiah has threatened to remove the Congress MLAs who went to Delhi. Reports in the media also say he has threatened not to release MLA development funds to those legislators.”

“On one side, D.K. Shivakumar is going to Delhi and making statements. On the other side, Siddaramaiah questions why others went to Delhi. This is the two-and-a-half-year circus of the Congress party,” he mocked.

He accused the Congress-led government of being “hollow, and a burden on people”.

He also questioned the state government on the alleged power-sharing formula.

Drawing a sharp contrast between the Centre and the state government, Ashoka said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi reduced GST rates so that people could consume pure ghee and remain healthy. But the Congress government has increased prices even on that ghee.”

He accused the government of being a “champion in price hikes, illegalities, scams, and excessive borrowing”.

“They are champions in driving farmers to death, champions in contractors’ suicides, champions in igniting caste conflicts, and champions in sending maximum money to Delhi. In just two-and-a-half years, you have become champions in everything negative,” he remarked.

He taunted the Congress, claiming, “The very MLAs who elected Siddaramaiah as CM had gone to Delhi to tell Kharge they don’t want him anymore. Yet Siddaramaiah claims there is no revolt or confusion.”

New Delhi, Nov 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government has given effect to the Four Labour Codes, which are one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence.

“It greatly empowers our workers. It also significantly simplifies compliance and promotes Ease of Doing Business,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He said that these Codes will serve as a strong foundation for universal social security, minimum and timely payment of wages, safe workplaces and remunerative opportunities for our people, especially ‘Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti’.

“It will build a future-ready ecosystem that protects the rights of workers and strengthens India’s economic growth. These reforms will boost job creation, drive productivity and accelerate our journey towards a Viksit Bharat,” he added.

The four labour codes include the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, with effect from November 21, rationalising 29 existing labour laws.

With the implementation of the Labour Codes, it has now become mandatory for employers to issue appointment letters to all workers, which provides written proof to ensure transparency, job security, and fixed employment. Earlier, no mandatory appointment letters were required.

Under Code on Social Security, 2020, all workers, including gig and platform workers, will get social security coverage. All workers will get PF, ESIC, insurance, and other social security benefits. Earlier, there was only limited security coverage.

Under the Code on Wages, 2019, all workers will receive a statutory right minimum wage payment which wages and timely payment will ensure financial security. Earlier, minimum wages applied only to scheduled industries or employments; large sections of workers remained uncovered.

The Labour codes also ensure that employers must provide all workers above the age of 40 years with a free annual health check-up and promote a timely preventive healthcare culture. Earlier, there was no legal requirement for employers to provide free annual health check-ups to workers.

The codes also make it mandatory for employers to provide timely wages, to ensure financial stability, reducing work stress and boosting the overall morale of the workers. Earlier, there was no mandatory compliance for employers’ payment of wages.

The new law permits women to work at night and in all types of work across all establishments, subject to their consent and required safety measures. Women will also get equal opportunities to earn higher incomes in high-paying job roles. Earlier, women’s employment in night shifts and certain occupations was restricted.

The new codes also extend ESIC coverage and benefits pan-India – voluntary for establishments with fewer than 10 employees, and mandatory for establishments with even one employee engaged in hazardous processes.

Social protection coverage will be expanded to all workers. Earlier, ESIC coverage was limited to notified areas and specific industries; establishments with fewer than 10 employees were generally excluded, and hazardous-process units did not have uniform mandatory ESIC coverage across India.

The codes also ease the compliance burden for workers by providing for single registration, a PAN-India single license and a single return. Earlier, multiple registrations, licenses and returns across various labour laws were required.