First government after independence had a daunting task of building a nation, which had been looted by several invaders from Mohammad Gazni to British who came in the guise of East India Company. There was a lot of mistrust and antipathy towards foreign companies due to bitter past experiences. Hence, first government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, which was an all-party government, looked upon Soviet Union style socialist economic model instead of American and British model of reforming economy. Hence, birth of Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Currently Ministry of Civil Aviation is comprised of the following (Source: https://civilaviation.nic.in)
Directorate General of Civil Aviation: It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards.
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security: Responsible for monitoring the implementation of security rules and regulations and carrying out survey of security needs.
Commission of Railway Safety: Deals with matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operation.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy: It was set up to bring about a quantum improvement in the standards of flying and ground training of Commercial Pilots in the country.
Airport Authority of India: Manages five international airports, 87 domestic airports and 28 civil enclaves.
Air India and Indian Airlines: There are separate review sections here for these and they have been reviled enough for their pathetic service and performance.
Pawan Hans: Produces and runs helicopters for government of India and several other state governments.
Let us look at the changes occurring in this field for past several years:
Low cost airlines: Since government has now allowed 49 percent FDI in airlines, some low cost airlines have already started and many are in wings. A ticket from Ahmedabad to Mumbai - Indian Airlines - Rs. 4000, Jet Airways - Rs. 5000, Deccan Air - Rs. 1140!
Domestic Reforms: Any airline with more than 5 years of service will now be allowed to fly to International destinations, which were thus far exclusive domain of Air India and Indian Airlines.
Airport Modernization: Government has undertaken a plan to modernize 30 airports in the country, with the partnership of consortium of private companies, including FDIs. It will be interesting to see how strong present Government’s resolve is to move in this direction, considering it lives on the oxygen borrowed from Left parties who steadfastly oppose any more to bring private investment in any public sector.
Restructuring Air India and Indian Airlines: Indian Government is planning to purchase approximately 100 new aircrafts worth $30, 000 crores to restructure both state-run airlines.
Shut it down!
Why is there a need to have two separate departments for safety and security? Actually, it may result in conflicts of interest between two departments and the main function may be put on back burner to make way for personal animosities. It is rather better to merge Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and create one entity solely responsible for maintaining safety and security.
I am really amazed to see Bureau of Railway Safety working under aegis of Ministry of Civil Aviation. We have a separate Ministry of Railways; hence it is better to bring it under purview of the same. Anyway, state of safety in railways in dismal and needs urgent reforms.
Airport Authority of India is an organization we really need to manage our airports; however, lack of professionalism is plaguing the authority. Just look at the state of airports in India If we were to go by Mumbai and New Delhi Airports, it clearly speaks for third world mindset that our government and officials still inhabit. Right from filthy restrooms, crumbling ceilings, peeling paint, spits of paan masala, barely working air conditioner to corrupt and delinquent custom and immigration officials –everything is wrong with the airports.
Credit must go to A B Vajpayee for understanding the advantages of a world-class, efficient airport provides greater impetus to economy; however, in later part of his term. His government initiated privatization of Delhi and Mumbai airports and kick started process of modernization of 30 other airports. Fortunately, Manmohan Singh has done his best to further initiatives of previous government despite of relentless opposition from Communists. Renovation of both these airports has commenced and they are projected to be handed over to private consortium partners within a year.
I think Air India and Indian Airlines need to be privatized. Vajpayee took a step in that direction but unfortunately the government received expression of interest from only one consortium, which left it with no option but to put the privatization plans on back burner. Well, then what can be the way out? The government must emulate the successful past experience it has had with BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
Today, with host of private players in fray and corporatization of infamous Department of Telecom, the previous avatar of BSNL, telecom industry is one of the biggest success stories of past decade. Both airlines and Pawan Hans must be corporatized and operations must be made independent of government and bureaucrats. And anyway, what is the point of spending astronomical $30, 000 crores on airlines when social sectors such as health, education, sanitation and water are crumbling due to insufficient funding. And this will lead to privatization of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy. Pilots are better trained at a private, prestigious institute than lethargic government.
Create Central Aviation Authority: Government must learn from successful experience it has had with TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), which is being credited with successfully regulating the complex telecom sector with credible neutrality. A Central Aviation Authority (CAA) should be created and the Safety, Security and Airport Authority of India should be brought under the purview of it. Air India and Indian Airlines should be just another market player, which has to abide by rules and regulations laid out by CAA. Resultantly the ministry will become redundant and it must be shut down.