Reportedly the Union cabinet has given its approval to introduce the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Parliament. Meanwhile the Bill is intended to carry out amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 and the Bill will now be introduced in the Parliament. Furthermore the amendment will increase the limit on the maximum fine on regulatory and other lapses found in aircraft operations.
PIB said in a media release on wednesday The Bill enhances the maximum limit of fine from the existing Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore. It also enlarges the scope of the existing Act to include regulation of all areas of air navigation". Apparently it will also enable the three regulatory bodies in the sector Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Aircraft accident Investigation Bureau to become "more effective, which will lead to enhancement in the level of safety and security of aircraft operations in the country". Perhaps the amendments would fulfil the requirements of international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Moreover ICAO is the United Nation’s global aviation watchdog. In november 2017 and february 2018, ICAO conducted the ‘Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme’. As per report this audit revealed that India’s score had declined to 57.44%. Earlier it was 65.82%. The score of 57.44% meant that india was below pakistan and Nepal. It is also lower than the global average of 65% on the ICAO’s board.
