A bill was moved in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday replacing the Aircraft Act of 1934. The Bill aims at facilitating ease of doing business and boosting the manufacturing and maintenance works in aviation.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu moved the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha has already passed the bill.
Later, Naidu said in a tweet that the Bill marked an important milestone in modernizing aviation in India, as it brought the law in tune with international standards and propelled the sector’s growth.
The Aircraft Act, of 1934, was enacted to manage and regulate a few aspects related to aviation. It regulates the manufacturing, use, operation, sale, import, and export of aircraft. The Act also provides that the government governs civil air transport within Indian territory and airspace, including regulating international air services for both Indian and foreign carriers. It’s part of India’s duty to enforce international agreements and conventions.
Over the years, lawmakers have amended the Aircraft Act of 1934 several times to make aviation safer, more regulated, and better developed. While also pursuing international agreements. However, after ninety years and a number of amendments, the stakeholders could no longer comprehend the full meaning of the regulations. Redundancies had occurred and doing business in aviation was over-regulated.
To address these issues, the government decided to bring about a new bill. Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 will wipe out these ambiguities, allow easy functioning of businesses, and provide crystal clear rules related to the manufacturing and maintenance of aircraft. It also aims at easing the process of compliance for businesses with international aviation standards.
Some of the important provisions of the new bill are: firstly, the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of aircraft and equipment connected therewith. Secondly, it also allows the Central Government to regulate the granting of Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificates. This would pave the way for the smooth functioning of the aviation business.
The Bill, inter-alia, also provides for the implementation of International Civil Aviation Conventions and to provide for security-related matters. Besides that, it allows the Central Government to take emergency measures in the public interest. The bill provides the principles for compensation in case of loss or damage. And it lays down an appellate mechanism for appeals about questions such as compensation, licenses, or certificates. Apart from these, it also comprises provisions concerning the determination of penalties on grounds of contravention.
The bill introduces penalties, fines, and even imprisonment for violators of the rules outlined within the legislation. It also looks to repeal the archaic Aircraft Act, of 1934. The proposal is to enact the Act to ensure that the aviation sector in India continues to grow in a safe and efficient manner and in harmony with modern times.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 will replace the Aircraft Act, of 1934, bringing clarity and modernization to India’s aviation sector. It would bring India in tune more with the rest of the world. And help ensure sustainable aviation growth in India.
ANI
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