8 steps from the Civil aviation Minister,India

[blackbirdsr72]

India's Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh stated (09-Oct-2012) the future plans of the Ministry include rationalising the price of ATF by getting it declared as a notified product, improving connectivity to smaller and remote parts of the country, enhancement of helicopter connectivity, developing India as an international hub, developing low cost airports, creation of Civil Aviation Authority, creation of Civil Aviation Security Force and skill augmentation in Civil Aviation sector. Details include:

1. Issues related to ATF: Mr Singh noted it is seeking the rationalisation of price of ATF by getting it declared as a notified product to bring it under the ambit of Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). He noted, "ATF constitutes approximately 40% to 50% of operating expenses of Indian Airlines. The major contributor to the high prices of ATF is the VAT levied by various State Governments ranging from 4% to 30%. Efforts are on to persuade the State Governments to reduce the VAT on ATF so as to bring down the prices of ATF and discussions with a number of States have already taken place in this regard";
2. Connectivity to smaller and remote parts of India: Mr Singh said the "top most priority of the Government is to provide air connectivity to remote and interior areas of the country, North Eastern Region, Tier-II & Tier-III cities of India and remote/difficult areas of the country. Connectivity which is proposed to be provided would be customer oriented in terms of affordability and cost of travel. Two main instruments to facilitate air connectivity to these areas include Route Dispersal Guidelines and plane acquisition policy. For this purpose a Consultant has been appointed and the report of the Consultant is expected to be finalised within a period of 2-months";
3. Enhancement of Helicopter connectivity;
4. India to be developed as an international hub: Mr Singh noted the need to develop India as an international hub for the passengers. He continued, "Action in this regard has been initiated, which includes revisiting the policy regarding bilateral air service agreements with different countries and also rationalisation of all bilaterals and traffic entitlements on international routes to Indian carriers and rationalisation of traffic on domestic routes. This would also require development of more airports for domestic & international operations";
5. Development of Low Cost Airports: Mr Singh stated that in an endeavour to provide air connectivity to different parts of India, development of low cost airports is seen as "the most important component". Mr Singh continued, "Instructions have been issued to AAI to identify the most suitable low cost model for development of smaller airports and to develop airports in the smaller cities based on this model";
6. Creation of Civil Aviation Authority: Mr Singh said the creation of Civil Aviation Authority to manage the "phenomenal growth of air traffic with safety", through an "effective, autonomous and professional regulatory body" is required and a bill in this regard will soon be brought before the Parliament;
7. Creation of Civil Aviation Security Force: Mr Singh said the government is preparing the creation of a separate Civil Aviation Security Force which is "professionally trained and exclusively meant for the work of civil aviation". He noted efforts would also be made to negotiate with the State Governments to provide security at smaller airports so that the central security forces may be effectively utilised at the larger and more important airports. This will also bring down the cost to provide security which would reduce the burden on passengers from the security expenses, he noted;
8. Skill augmentation in civil aviation sector: Mr Singh stated work to establish a Civil Aviation University is in progress

source:CAPA

[captjns]

Perhaps the Minister of Aviation, Ajut Sing, is being rather ambitious with his plans. Perhaps Mr. Sing should clean house within his DGCA before proceeding with step one.

[airbuswala]

good going mr. ajit singh

hope there should be some new job openings!

[superdunkaroos]

Perhaps the Minister of Aviation, Ajut Sing, is being rather ambitious with his plans. Perhaps Mr. Sing should clean house within his DGCA before proceeding with step one.

That is exactly the point of getting the bill passed for CAA (Civil Aviation authority).

It will become autonomous giving it the necessary teeth to Regulate Aviation and give more power when it comes to hiring, administration and other activities.

[Capt Apache]

Sometimes you can learn a lot from pedigree.
Ajit Singh is the son of Chaudhry Charan Singh, a former freedom fighter who at one point in time was ordered to be shot at sight by the British for his rebellious nature.Charan Singh was the main force behind the Zamindari Abolition Act (around the 50's).Some say it is this act that determined the vastly different trajectories of India v/s Pakistan.His fiery relations with his all powerful contemporaries is one reason why he wasnt PM for longer.
If we go by his fathers record and how he vehemently protected the interests of the poor farmers, I think we could safely bet on him.

[blackbirdsr72]

Yes you are right.. He has a pedigree... I know him personally and believe me he wants to do a lot to revive this industry.His stern decisions on IPG,Dharmadhikari report,bailout for AirIndia & Safety related issues etc was few steps on it.. I dont know how much he can succeed in rejeuvanating the DGCA/MOCA (They are too corrupt), certainly measures are progressing. Some news that media doesnt Covered.

1. He has abolished the Empowered committe who was responsible for granting Licences/Import Permits.
2.50% of the MOCA staffs including Undersecretary Arya has been Transferred. New Principal secretary & New Aviation Secretary took Charge.

His only wrong decision I felt was the removal of Bharat Bhushan the DGCA...

Regards

[niksmathew24]

So who is now responsible for granting Licences/Import permits if the empowered committee has been suspended?

[blackbirdsr72]

For the moment Mr Ashok Kumar , Undersecretary is in charge of the Domestic Transport... He will forward the eligible Applications to Aviation secreatary Mr Srivastava and on his reccomendations the Minister himself will take the call....

Once the civil Aviation Authority comes into place everything will be in order...

Regards

[itsbrokenagain]

"He has abolished the Empowered committe who was responsible for granting Licences/Import Permits."

Yes he abolished it without any alternate process in place!! Company I know of has been waiting 3 months now for the import permit for one aircraft and for the permission to purchase another airframe domestically !! With still no end in site, even with payments being made to the correct people.

Its crazy, and without this permission you cannot get permission from the RBI to send the payment for the aircraft outside India.

I dont know of any other democratic country that requires so many permissions and approvals to purchase an aircraft.

If this is just the beginning imagine the hell that will break loose when he abolishes the DGCA with no CAA in place!!