The Hindu Business Line : Aircraft amendment Bill introduced

The Government on Monday introduced the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2006 that seeks to enhance the powers of the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for performing oversight functions and imposing penalties for violation of rules.

The Bill seeks to enlarge the scope of powers of the DGCA so as to make it a regulatory body. Besides, it would also empower the Centre to grant licences to personnel engaged in air traffic control, certify, inspect and regulate the communication, navigation and surveillance as well as air traffic management, apart from ensuring security and safeguarding the sector against acts of unlawful interference.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel. The Bill proposes to enhance the quantum of existing penalties for violating rules relating `to carriage in aircraft of arms or explosives or providing false information or abetment of offences or non-compliance of directions' with a view to achieving desired deterrent effect to raise the compliance level.