Reply A SHARJAH official said that the bus stations were set up by the municipality, in coordination with the Emirate Transport Corporation, and they studied the locations of the station before setting up the bus station in this area. This is the only suitable location for public transport buses. The buses do not stop more than five minutes to hold up traffic. Motorists can use other lanes while the bus is loading and unloading passengers. The municipality is working on expansion of the Rolla roads to solve the traffic problems there.

How Air Arabia crew handled bird hit

A PASSENGER of Air Arabia logged a complaint through the Khaleej Times Hotline after his scheduled flight from Mumbai to Sharjah was delayed by almost eight hours, as the aircraft encountered a ‘bird hit’, which bent its wing’s titanium plates.

Although he understands that such accidents may happen, the passenger was particularly concerned at how the Air Arabia crew handled the situation.

“Refreshments were not served to us. Also, blankets and wheelchairs were not provided to elderly passengers who required them. I also heard one of the crew members saying they are not used to situations like that as they rarely experience delays or technical problems,” he told the paper.

He added that a representative of the United Nations (UN) who was among the passengers and was on his way to Lebanon via Sharjah for a conference was likewise enraged and he threatened to file a formal letter of complaint to the Air Arabia management.

Reply IN RESPONSE, Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah, Air Arabia’s Marketing Communications Manager, said: "Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, Air Arabia’s aircraft from Sharjah was grounded at Mumbai airport due to engineering concerns, as a result of a bird hit on April 23. In accordance with standard international procedures and practices, we conducted extensive testing of the aircraft to ascertain the extent of the problem. After an extensive analysis of the situation, it was finally decided — although the aircraft was not damaged at all — not to operate the aircraft. Air Arabia called for a relief airplane to carry passengers booked from Mumbai to Sharjah. Regrettably, there was a delay caused due to this unfortunate situation.”

She added that although they made every effort to promptly serve refreshments to passengers, the scale of the task of catering to 162 passengers at such a short notice was overwhelming for the caterers and service teams at Mumbai airport.

“Our staff were with the passengers at all times offering all the assistance wherever possible. We have since followed up this situation, both internally and with a large number of the affected passengers,” Habibullah said.

She also noted that they will use the incident as a “learning experience and ensure that we are equipped at all stations to deal with any such situations.”

Company 'harassing' man asking for dues

ANAND, an employee of Vishwas Gold Palace called up the Khaleej Times Hotline, alleging that the management is harassing him by filing a case against him when he asked for his due salary. “The company did not pay salary for two months, and when I asked about it, a management official beat me. I lodged a complaint against the company at the labour office. But the company forged a case against me, alleging that I stole gold and money from the jewellery shop,” he said.

“Now, my case is in the court. I filed a case against the jewellery shop in the labour court for my unpaid salaries. But for the last six months, I had been living without a job. I did not manage to send any money back home this time and my family is also struggling,” he added.

Reply A MANAGEMENT official from Vishwas Gold Palace denied the allegations and termed them as baseless. “Some people are instigating problems to safeguard their interests. We filed a case against three employees and he is one of them. We did not beat any employee. We treat our employees well. But we cannot tolerate indecent behaviour from the employees,” he said. “We are ready to give the pending salaries. We are waiting for the court verdict against these employees. Once it comes, we will give the salary,” he added.

Why should I pay the penalty?

AJITH Mathew, a tenant of Dubai Residential Oasis in Al Ghusais area of Dubai, has complained of alleged victimisation by Vakson Real Estate who have forced him to pay a two-month penalty on breaking the tenancy contract midway, although Mathew said he gave the real estate company and the landlord a two-month notice. Mathew, who was recently transferred by his office to Abu Dhabi, said he had no choice but to break the contract midway and move to Abu Dhabi. I had signed a contract on November 15, 2005, and paid two cheques for a total of Dh59,000 towards rent for a two-bedroom apartment. The cheque was issued in the name of the landlord — Legend Middle East, but I had to still pay 5 per cent commission and security deposit to Vakson Real Estate.

According to Mathew, he informed both the landlord and Vakson that he would be vacating the apartment in the following two months, and later on March 30, handed over the keys and electricity clearance papers to the real estate company. "I had requested the landlord not to present my second cheque for clearance to the bank since I had vacated the apartment, and also refund me the balance amount for 40 days from the first cheque payment made earlier in November. But, I was shocked to learn that I will have to pay a two-month penalty to Vakson, despite the advance notice and clearance of electricity and water charges on time. The tenancy contract very clearly mentions that the tenant should give a two-month notice and if leaving town, officially inform the landlord and take consent," Mathew said, pointing out that he has not violated the contract. "Why should I pay the penalty to Vakson?" he questioned.

Reply AN OFFICIAL from Vakson Real Estate Legal Affairs Department reiterated that the tenant should pay the two-month penalty because of breach of contract. “According to our company policy, we will impose a two-month penalty, although he informed us that he was leaving. How can a tenant break the contract midway, and if he does, he has to bear the brunt. There is no civic body regulation prohibiting the landlord from charging a penalty to a tenant for breach of contract,” the official said. “Besides, Mathew has not yet settled his dues, and therefore, the landlord has the right to present his second instalment cheque to the bank for clearance,” he added.

However, he stated that the penalty levied by Vakson on the tenant is in accordance with the instructions of the landlord.