At a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, it was decided that the age-old Act which lays down the government's regulatory powers over manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft, would be amended in line with the changing trends in the aviation sector.
The amendments include the licensing of air traffic control officials, and regulatory control over foreign registered aircraft among other things.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also approved compulsory packaging of foodgrain and sugar in jute bags for the jute year 2007-08 (July-June).
In case of disruption in jute supplies, the textile ministry will be empowered to authorise user agencies to relax the provisions up to a maximum of 20 per cent for sugar and foodgrain.
Small consumer packs of 25 kg and below, and export packing of foodgrain and sugar would be exempted from compulsory packaging. Also, sugar fortified with vitamins and packaging of 100 kg or more will be exempted from this move.
The moves are in continuation of the policy finalised in the last jute year.
The DGCA will now have powers to give licence to ATC officials. "Before this, ATC officials were graded for independent operations in an air traffic control station by a stipulated body under the airports authority of India and no licence was required. Now based on the same training period and medical rating, the DGCA as a regulatory body will issue licences to ATC officials," said a ministry official.
According to the amendments, in order to ensure aviation security, the DGCA will also have powers to inspect, certify and regulate the CNS/ATM facilities in the country.
According to the amendment, the foreign registered aircraft, which are leased by airlines, will also come within the purview of the DGCA. Currently, the regulatory body under the aircraft Act only regulates the performance levels and other aspects of aircraft, which are registered in India.
However, post amendment, the applicability will be extended to foreign registered aircraft as well. According to the Act, the powers of the DGCA will be enhanced to cover regulation of air traffic services, prohibition of flights over specified areas and prohibition of slaughtering of animals within 10-km radius of the airport. Maximum penalty on violation of the act has been increased to Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) from Rs 1,000.
