BHARATIYA
VAYUYAN VIDHEYAK:POLITY/GOVERNANCE
NEWS:
Parliament passes Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
The Bharatiya Vayuyan
Vidheyak, 2024 modernizes India's aviation laws by replacing the Aircraft
Act, 1934, addressing ambiguities, simplifying processes, and enhancing
regulatory oversight. It empowers the government and DGCA with expanded roles,
revises aircraft definitions, and introduces a new appeals mechanism.
Need
to Replace the Aircraft Act, 1934:
- Outdated Framework: The Aircraft Act, 1934, was
amended multiple times to meet modern aviation needs, leading to
ambiguities and inefficiencies.
- Global Alignment: Reforms required to align
with international aviation conventions and standards.
- Simplification: Eliminate redundant
provisions and streamline processes to enhance the ease of doing business.
- New Scope: Address the design,
manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment in the
context of modern technology and self-reliance initiatives.
Objectives
of Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024:
- Pilot Certification
Simplification:
Transferring the testing process for Radio Telephone Operator
Restricted (RTR) Certificates from the Department of Telecom (DoT) to
the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), making it easier for
pilots to manage certifications under a single authority.
- Empowering the Central
Government:
- Rule-making for
implementing international civil aviation standards.
- Issuing emergency orders
for public safety or national interest.
- Defining mechanisms for
compensation in case of damages or loss.
- Establishing provisions for
penalties, imprisonment, or fines for rule violations.
- Appeals Mechanism: Introduces a second
level of appeal before approaching the Secretary, Ministry of Civil
Aviation (MoCA), ensuring a fair hearing and resolution process.
Major
Additions in the Bill:
- Redefinition of Aircraft: Balloons and gliders are
excluded from the definition of aircraft.
- Regulation Scope Expanded:
- Covers aircraft design,
manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, export, and import.
- Includes safety mechanisms
for aircraft operations.
- Enhanced Powers for
Agencies:
DGCA, BCAS, and AAIB receive greater authority to enforce safety and
regulatory standards.
- License Management: Central Government or its
officers can suspend, cancel, or restrict aviation licenses or
certifications. Affected parties will have the right to a hearing before
such action is taken.
- Appeal System Improved: An intermediate appeal
stage has been introduced between the first appeal and the final
appeal to the Secretary, MoCA, improving the decision review process.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-passes-bharatiya-vayuyan-vidheyak-2024/article68950954.ece