INDIA
was no interference with the right of the states.
Shri Dara Singh Chauhan,
MP, (BSP) said there would have been no need for such a Bill if appropriate measures would have been taken earlier to bridge the gap between the rich and
the poor. He advocated taking strong measures to stop leakage in the PDS so as to ensure that the benefits reached the poor. He suggested 100 per cent coverage of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people under the Scheme and States should be
allowed to determine the number of poor people in their respective states.
Describing the Bill as a very
bold step, Shri Sharad Yadav, MP, (JD-U) said even though there had been many schemes for the poor, the structure of
the country was such that it did not allow the benefits of such schemes to reach those that needed it. He believed poverty was linked to social hierarchy, and unless the right to food security was made a universal right the purpose would be defeated.
THIRD READING: INDIA
The Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 Civil aviation is a key infrastructure sector that facilitates growth of business, trade and tourism, with significant multiplier effects across the economy. In 2006 Kaw Committee inter-alia looking into aviation needs of the country, had recommended setting up of a National Aviation University in India. The 12th Five Year Document has also made a similar recommendation to augment qualified and trained manpower for aviation sector in India. The future outlook of Indian aviation sector is highly encouraging. Forecasts of air traffic suggest a robust growth of the sector and its implied demand requires skilled human resources to upgrade and operate infrastructure across segments such as airlines, airports, ground-handling, cargo operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul, etc. The quantitative estimates and qualitative gaps indicated that the sector is grappling with inadequacy of skilled, managerial and operational personnel needed to steer the sector in its growth phase.
The opportunity cost of not investing in human resources required for civil aviation sector in India at this juncture would result in reduced growth, increased cost of operations, compromise on safety and missed opportunities. Therefore, it was felt that a holistic intervention was required to address the manpower challenges facing the sector. The sector needed an apex education institution in the country, hence the imperative need for setting up of a National Aviation University.
The government, in turn, brought forward the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013.
The objects of the proposed legislation is to establish National Aviation University as a Central University and as autonomous body under the administrative control of Ministry of Civil Aviation to be called “Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University” which will facilitate and promote aviation studies, teaching, training, research and extension work.
Since there are a sizeable number of institutions providing flying training, there is a need to standardize the quality of such education and training through affiliation and academic supervision by a Central University. Features of the Bill include:
Provisions have been made for establishment of the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University at Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh (State in India) and other logistical provisions such as maintenance of its campuses and centres, and for enumerating the powers of the University which includes, inter alia, to provide for instructions, to recognize aviation training colleges and to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions.
The President of India was appointed the Visitor of the University who in that capacity has been vested with the power to appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress of the University including colleges and institutions managed by it.
Provisions have also been made with regard to the Deans of Schools and appointment of the Registrar who has been vested with the power to enter into, and sign agreements and authenticate records on behalf of the University.
Universities have been conferred power to make Ordinances to provide for all or any of the following matters, such as:
(a) The admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such; (b) The courses of study to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the University; and (c) The medium of instruction and examination.
During the discussion in Parliament, the Bill was by and large perceived as a timely initiative. Some members voiced their reservation mainly on the grounds of: Bill being brought in a hurry; proposed location of university; focus should first have been in putting in place a regulatory authority. The Bill found favour among most sections of the Houses of Parliament for: facilitating imparting employment oriented education to youth of the country; boosting commerce, trade and tourism; much needed step for enhancing image and effectiveness of Indian aviation sector. Suggestions had also been made for setting up new universities and airports and for standardizing aviation training in the country.
The Minister-in-charge of the Bill while replying to the discussion clarified that the Bill was brought before Parliament only after due deliberation. A world renowned consultant KPMG was hired.
It was only after in-depth ground work that the legislation was conceptualized and not brought in haste. With regard to location of the university, the Minister conceding Members’ suggestions for other locations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad etc, assured that more universities would come up in due course. Airports as also universities would be set in other deserving places.
The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on 6 September 2013 and on Rajya Sabha on 7 September 2013. The Bill as passed by both Houses of Parliament was assented to by the President of India on 18 September 2013.
The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four | 337
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124