Parliament on passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act of 1934. This significant legislative move aims to modernise India’s aviation sector, enhance safety measures, and align with global standards. The Bill was cleared in the Lok Sabha on August 9 and passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha.
Parliament Passes ‘Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak’
Why In News
- Parliament on passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act of 1934. This significant legislative move aims to modernise India’s aviation sector, enhance safety measures, and align with global standards. The Bill was cleared in the Lok Sabha on August 9 and passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha.
Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024
- Bill seeks to replace the Aircraft Act, 1934. It retains most of the provisions of the Act. Enhance safety, regulatory oversight, and consumer protection in aviation.
- Promote self-reliance in aircraft manufacturing and encourage investments.
- Strengthen governance structures for civil aviation authorities.
- Act sets up: (i) DGCA for overseeing safety and performing regulatory functions
- (ii) BCAS for overseeing security
- (iii) AAIB for investigating accidents.
- The central government will exercise superintendence over these bodies. It may review or modify their orders. The Bill retains these provisions.
Features
- Enhancing Accessibility And Affordability : Naidu highlighted efforts under the Udan scheme, which has improved accessibility by operationalising 86 regional airports and launching 609 routes in eight years. While addressing affordability concerns, he said:
- Airfare Monitoring: The government monitors ticket prices to ensure airlines do not exploit passengers. Recent data showed a 2–42 per cent reduction in major sector ticket prices during the Diwali season compared to the previous year.
- Revised Circular: A 2010 Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular, which allowed airlines to change prices within 24 hours, will be amended. Airlines must now submit fare details a month in advance, promoting transparency.
- Fuel Price Reduction Efforts: High VAT on aviation fuel imposed by states like Delhi, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu was flagged as a challenge. Naidu urged MPs to advocate for VAT reductions to lower operational costs.
- Strengthening Safety and Data Security
- The Government has intensified surveillance due to increased threat calls in recent months, with safety remaining a top priority. On the data safety of DigiYatra, Naidu assured passengers that personal data, such as Aadhaar, is stored on their devices and automatically purged after airport use.
- Encouraging Investment and Reducing Monopolisation : The bill encourages private sector participation while addressing concerns over a potential monopoly in aviation. Opposition MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised issues of duopoly by Air India and IndiGo, resulting in high airfares. AA Raheem expressed concerns over the perceived dominance of major players like Adani, Tata, and IndiGo in airports and airspace.
- Cultural and Political Implications of Renaming the Bill : The bill’s title change to Hindi sparked a heated debate. While some members supported it as a nod to India’s cultural identity, others opposed it as unnecessary. BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra called Hindi the “country’s pride,” urging members to embrace the language.
- The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 is seen as a progressive step toward strengthening India’s aviation sector. By modernising the regulatory framework and fostering investments, the bill aims to balance growth, accessibility, affordability, and safety.
- As the government tackles challenges like high airfares and infrastructure bottlenecks, it remains committed to making India a leading global aviation hub while safeguarding consumer interests and promoting inclusivity.
