SC issues contempt notice to DGCA for not bringing CAR

26 Feb 2013 Evaluate

For not complying with the order to bring new set of rules to rationalize the flying hours for pilots, the Supreme Court has issued contempt notice to Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and sought explanation regarding the same. An association of Indian pilots has filed the contempt petition against the aviation regulating body for not bringing new Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) to minimize accidents caused by pilot fatigue. In line with this, the apex court, in May 2011, had directed the DGCA to expedite the process of bringing new CAR to rationalize the flying hours for pilots. 

As per the petitioner, it is urgent to implement new regulation as many of airplane accidents are happening due to fatigue of pilots as the probe in Mangalore plane crash of 2010, in which 158 people died, suggested that the pilot was asleep during part of the flight. Further, it is also reported that DGCA is selectively relaxing rules for a few private airlines, putting passenger safety at risk and is not taking action against those airlines which are flouting the rules.

Moreover, the Aviation Minister Ajit Singh also expressed disappointment over the past performance of the DGCA. He said that despite the increase in air passenger, aircraft movement over the past six years, the strength of DGCA, which is the regulatory body in the field of civil aviation, has gone up only in a marginal manner mainly due to the cumbersome recruitment process under the UPSC.

However, in the current Budget session, a bill to replace Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by a new aviation regulatory body the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) - with full operational and financial autonomy is expected to be tabled in Parliament.

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