Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Aviation watchdog DGCA to soon get powers to slap penalties
BackBack

Aviation watchdog DGCA to soon get powers to slap penalties

The move would give more teeth and leeway to DGCA and BCAS in dealing with instances of violations amid the domestic sector witnessing over 20% sustained growth in passenger traffic

DGCA can debar, suspend and even cancel the permission to fly for the airlines as well as individual pilots and engineers but cannot impose any monetary penalty. Photo: Abhijit Bhatlekar/MintPremium
DGCA can debar, suspend and even cancel the permission to fly for the airlines as well as individual pilots and engineers but cannot impose any monetary penalty. Photo: Abhijit Bhatlekar/Mint

New Delhi: Regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and aviation security agency Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are all set to get powers to impose fines on violators, with the government preparing to amend the legislation in this regard.

The move would give more teeth and leeway to DGCA and BCAS in dealing with instances of violations amid the domestic sector witnessing over 20% sustained growth in passenger traffic. For providing penal powers to DGCA and BCAS, the government plans to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 and it is likely to be taken up during the winter session of Parliament starting next month.

“Today, there is no provision for levying penalties. That enablement should happen," civil aviation secretary R N Choubey said. Currently, there are stringent provisions in place for DGCA to deal with violations at various levels, including those related to airlines, pilots, crew members and other entities.

The watchdog can debar, suspend and even cancel the permission to fly for the airlines as well as individual pilots and engineers but cannot impose any monetary penalty. “Today, if there is any irregularity then the licence has to be suspended of the entire airline for a certain time. That is the extreme punishment. There is no provision for anything in between. “We are saying that unless something is very severe, there should be some provision for levying fine," Choubey said.

The powers of BCAS— which primarily has the mandate to ensure security at airports— would also be strengthened with new provisions. The civil aviation ministry has already floated the draft amendments to Aircraft Act. When asked whether the ministry would be pushing the amendments in the upcoming Parliament session, Choubey replied in the affirmative. “Yes, it will come in the next session of Parliament," he said, adding that similar provisions for penalties are there in other countries.

In the draft Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the ministry has also proposed various other changes such as increasing the quantum of fine that can be imposed under this law to up to 1 crore from existing level of 10 lakh. Among others, a new sub-section is proposed to be included stating that DGCA or any other officers specially empowered by the central government shall perform the safety oversight functions in respect of matters specified in the Act.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 23 Oct 2016, 03:41 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App