Panel submits report on DGCA

A committee set up in August 2005 by the ministry of civil aviation, under the chairmanship of MK Kaw, former secretary (civil aviation), to review the role and functions of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), presented its report to the minister for civil aviation Praful Patel, today. It proposes major upgradation of the powers vested in the DGCA.

Emphasising that India still lacks a comprehensive civil aviation policy and as a consequence, the Civil Aviation Act, the committee recommended that the government needs to finalise its civil aviation policy and give it a statutory basis in the shape of a new Civil Aviation Act. Rejecting the case for creating multiple regulatory agencies in the field of civil aviation, the committee proposed that the DGCA should be statutorily notified as the sole apex body for safety and economic regulation of the sector. The committee also proposed that the DGCA should act as a catalyst for the growth of the manufacturing sector.

The committee proposed that there should be a national civil aviation advisory committee to lay down the policy and review it from time to time. The committee favoured DGCA to be given a sufficient budget and clear-cut administrative and financial autonomy through a DGCA council and its empowered committee.

Acknowledging that the burgeoning civil aviation sector needs greater fillip, the committee proposed that DGCA liberalise its regulatory framework.

Other recommendations included the setting up of a national training policy, a central air university, several state air universities, a DGCA training academy and tighter control and supervision over flying training schools and AME training institutions, and an Indian Civil Aviation Service to man the various positions in the DGCA.