The government plans to provide the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) with powers to impose penalties for violations by airlines, pilots, crew members and other entities.
The proposal, which has been in the works for some time, will give more leeway for the regulator in taking action against erring entities. The Civil Aviation Ministry has already started work to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.
At present, the DGCA has the penal power to cancel the licence of an airline in case of a “very harsh violation”, a senior Ministry official said.
The watchdog can also debar or suspend pilots and engineers. However, it cannot impose any monetary penalty.
According to the official, new amendments are being worked out and after getting the Cabinet approval, the same is likely to be taken up during the monsoon session of Parliament.
