New Delhi, December 5 (IANS). The Indian Aircraft Bill-2024 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Rajya Sabha passed this important bill by voice vote. This bill passed by the Rajya Sabha, after becoming law, will replace the nearly 90 year old Aircraft Act.
This bill, passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, relates to the design, manufacture, repair, operation of aircraft, monitoring and their sale and import-export.
It provides wide powers to the Central Government in this regard. This gives the central government broad authority to make rules for the design, manufacture, repair, operation, use, sale and import-export of aircraft. If the bill becomes law, the government will have wide powers to make rules for the investigation of air accidents or other related incidents.
‘Indian Aircraft Bill 2024’ has been passed to reform aviation rules in India and replace the British-era Aircraft Act, 1934. The objective of this Bill is to provide necessary powers to the Central Government to enhance security and surveillance in the aviation sector, to meet developmental needs and to give effect to the provisions of international agreements.
Lok Sabha has passed this bill before Rajya Sabha. This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in August this year. The bill was discussed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu responded to the discussion. During this, he said that India wants to reach an important height in the field of aviation and after this bill becomes law, we will definitely be able to reach that height. He is aware of the problems in the Indian aviation sector. He also talked about finding a solution to the irregularities in air travel fares. The Union Minister said that about 45 percent of the air fare is spent on air fuel. The tax on fuel i.e. VAT is decided by the state governments.
He told that in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Delhi, VAT on aviation fuel is very high. Work is underway to strengthen the Tariff Monitoring Unit for fare resolution. Prime Minister Modi’s dream of providing air travel to the people of Hawai Chappal has become half true. Now efforts are on to fulfill this dream.
During the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, many opposition MPs registered their objection to the name of the ‘Indian Aircraft Bill’ being in Hindi. On this, the Union Minister said that the government wants to show the different and real colors of the country. ‘Aircraft Bill’ is an example of these true colors.
–IANS
GCB/CBT
