Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020

Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Legislations & GS-III – Infrastructure – Airways

In news

• Recently, Indian Parliament has passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha approving it. The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

• It seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.

Key takeaways

• It has provisions to convert three existing bodies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into statutory bodies. 
• These three authorities are – (1) Directorate General of Civil Aviation; (2) the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security; (3) Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau.
• Under the bill, each of these bodies will be headed by a Director General who will be appointed by the centre.
• The Bill raises the maximum limit on fines from 10 lakh rupees to one crore rupees.
• These fines are related to carrying arms, explosives and other dangerous goods aboard aircraft and constructing building or structures within the specified radius around an aerodrome reference point.