New Delhi: Three years ago, India increased the quantum of penalty that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the country's aviation regulator, could levy on pilots, instructors, airlines, training schools, etc if found violating aviation norms. From a few hundred rupees, the fine was increased to lakhs. However, last month, the civil aviation ministry found out that the DGCA has not levied a single fine despite the fact that since 2009, there have been about 600 cases that called for a penalty.
"The reluctance of a few DGCA officials to levy the penalty is questionable and will be investigated,'' said a top official from the civil aviation ministry. "We have studied only cases involving flight training organizations. The penalty amount not collected amounts to a few crores," he added. Aviation regulators worldwide use penalty as an effective deterrent.
30/04/13 Manju V/Times of India
