I assume that the Hindu has it wrong, as always. The Indian Air Law requires an engineer to sign any transit check (turn-around) and the captain countersigns that he / she is happy with the aeroplane.. .Mr. Khola, the Director General Civil Aviation, does not accept any pilots knowledge as proof of airwortiness for the aeroplane, also after any technical problem he immediately blames the pilot for everything.. .Since this was an inauguration flight and IA did most probably position these engineers to this new outstation as no one was available otherwise to sign the required check, these engineers had to be on board.. .It is a very common practise in India to have an engineer on board on flights to destinations which are only served a very few times a week.. .For sure, these engineers are not qualified Flight Engineers, as said, just a well mis-informed Hindu who spreads unqualified words.