Tata Sons Announces Rs 500-Crore Welfare Trust, Memorial For Air India Crash Victims

Tata Sons, the parent entity of Air India, has formed and registered a charitable trust for the victims of the AI-171 crash, according to a release issued on Friday.

"Tata Sons today formalised and completed the registration of a public charitable trust in Mumbai. The trust will be called 'The Al-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', dedicated to the victims of the unfortunate accident of Air India flight Al-171 in Ahmedabad", the release stated.

To lay the foundation of the trust, both Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have together pledged to contribute Rs 500 crore; implying a Rs 250 crore contribution by each of them.

This includes ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for those deceased, medical treatment of those who suffered serious injuries, and aid for the reconstruction and restoration of the BJ Medical College Hostel infrastructure which was damaged in the accident.

It will be used to offer immediate and prolonged support to the next of kin and dependents of the deceased, to those who were injured, and also to all others who got directly or collaterally affected by the accident.

"The Trust will also provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident," it added.

It will be managed by S Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran and Sidharth Sharma, Tata Sons' General Counsel along with three additional members that are yet to be appointed.