RS passes Aircraft Amendment Bill 2020 Oppn members criticise privatisation of airports

Civil aviation minister says the issue of privatisation of airports should be seen in a historical context

Parliament on Tuesday passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which seeks to improve India’s aviation safety ratings and provide statutory status to regulatory institutions, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in March, was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha.

Introducing the which also seeks

Bill, to increase the fine for violations from `10 lakh to `1 crore, Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said amendments were necessary as tremendous growth in civil aviation has thrown many challenges such as saturated airport capacity, lack of trained manpower, limited manpower capabilities, while adding that these are “happy challenges”. The proposed amendments follow the 2012 and the 2015 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation that had indicated the need to give statutory recognition to these agencies.

However, some members, also including Congress’s K.C. Venugopal, accused the government of privatising airports in the name of development and also centralising powers in its hands.

In his reply to the debate, Puri said the issue of privatisation should be seen in a historical context and noted that country’s largest airports Delhi and Mumbai were successfully privatised in 2006 under a previous political dispensation, and proceeds from the process have resulted in getting resources to develop airport infrastructure in the country.

On the Congress’ charge of allotting six airports to one group, Puri said the

Delhi and Mumbai airports account for 33 per cent of air traffic and earnings while the six airports that were awarded in 2018 together account for only nine per cent of traffic and earnings.

“In terms of six airports being given to one entity, let me just place it in perspective. When these two airports in Delhi and Mumbai were privatised all subsequent efforts at privatisation contained a stipulation to the effect that prior experience was necessary…. So, we fell into a trap of our own making and not by this government and I don’t want to make it as a political point,” Puri said.

New Delhi, Sept. 15: Some Opposition members in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday accused the government of privatising airports in the name of development and also centralising powers in its hands. Participating in the discussion on ‘The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020’ that seeks to improve India’s aviation safety ratings and provide statutory status to regulatory institutions, including the DGCA, members of the Congress and Left, besides some other parties alleged monopolisation of airports in the hands of one entity. However, the BJP claimed the government’s objective is to expand the aviation sector and create the infrastructure to make air travel safer and accessible for all.

Congress member K.C. Venugopal demanded a probe into the privatisation of six airports alleging violation of rules and corruption, a charge denied by BJP member G.V.L. Narasimha Rao who said there is complete transparency under the Modi dispensation. Initiating the debate, Venugopal alleged that the government was promoting crony capitalism by privatising airports in the name of developing them.