The parliament on Tuesday passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 to replace the Aircraft Act, 1934..The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 31 before being passed by the lower house on August 9.The Rajya Sabha passed the bill today..Under the Bill's provisions, regulatory bodies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will continue to operate under the Central government’s supervision. The Bill also expands the scope of regulation to include aircraft design, alongside manufacturing, possession and trade..New penalties for dangerous flying and actions compromising airport security, such as slaughtering animals or depositing waste near airport premises, could now attract a fine of up to ₹1 crore or a maximum of three years’ imprisonment..One notable feature of the Bill is the introduction of a second appeal mechanism for penalties imposed under its rules..According to PRS Legislative Research, the Bill raises concerns. Unlike other sectors like telecom and insurance which have independent regulators, civil aviation continues to be regulated by the DGCA, a body under government control.PRS also highlights that the Bill permits the government to appoint arbitrators in compensation disputes, a provision that could conflict with the Supreme Court’s ruling against unilateral arbitrator appointments under Article 14 of the Constitution.According to PRS, another contentious aspect is the government’s power to prescribe criminal penalties for violations which may undermine the principle of separation of powers..[Read Bill as passed by Lok Sabha]
