India: Aviation watchdog DGCA to soon get powers to slap penalties

Regulator DGCA and aviation security agency Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are all set to get powers to impose fines on violators, with the govt preparing to amend the legislation in this regard. The move would give more teeth and leeway to DGCA and BCAS in dealing with instances of violations amid the domestic sector witnessing over 20% sustained growth in passenger traffic. For providing penal powers to DGCA and BCAS, the govt plans to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 and it is likely to be taken up during the winter session of Parliament starting next month. The watchdog can currently debar, suspend and even cancel the permission to fly for the airlines as well as individual pilots and engineers but cannot impose any monetary penalty. <br/>