Raj era Aircraft Act 1934 to go but Viceroy’s Territory call sign for India-registered planes to stay
Raj era Aircraft Act 1934 to go but Viceroy’s Territory call sign for India-registered planes to stay
India is poised to overhaul its aviation sector by retiring the long-standing legacy of the Aircraft Act 1934, which was originally approved by the then Governor General on August 19, 1934, during the colonial era. Despite undergoing multiple amendments over the years, this outdated legislation continues to regulate various aspects of civil aviation in the country. The Indian government is currently dedicated to the formulation of the Aircraft Bill 2023, with plans to present it during the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
Once the bill successfully clears parliamentary scrutiny and secures the president’s approval, it will effectively supersede the historic “Angrezon ke zamaane ka kanoon” (law of the British era). This ambitious initiative symbolizes India’s commitment to modernizing and streamlining its aviation sector, aligning it with contemporary standards and requirements, and fostering a more dynamic and efficient civil aviation framework for the nation’s future.
Senior officials have highlighted the Indian government’s commitment to Prime Minister Modi’s call to eradicate any lingering remnants of colonial subjugation, as emphasized during the last Independence Day address. They underscored the efforts of the Union law ministry in identifying laws originating from the colonial era, a pivotal step toward aligning the country’s legislative framework with the vision of a liberated and progressive India. This initiative is especially evident in the forthcoming modern Aircraft Bill, which is being crafted in line with the Prime Minister’s aspiration to foster a contemporary and forward-looking legal framework.
Despite the overhaul, the symbolic “VT” code, historically recognized as an abbreviation for the “Viceroy’s Territory,” will persist as the country code for Indian-registered aircraft. Notably, this code was established in 1929 and has endured since India’s independence in 1947. Emphasizing that the “VT” code is not formally entrenched within the Aircraft Act 1934, the officials reiterated the distinction between the historic connotations associated with certain nomenclatures and the ongoing efforts to revamp and modernize the legal landscape governing the country’s aviation sector.
Clarifications provided by the government in 2021 elucidated that the “VT” call sign, attributed to India, does not denote “Viceroy’s Territory,” as previously assumed. Instead, it was formally assigned to the country during the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington in 1927. Notably, other call signs closely resembling India or Bharat, such as I, IN, B, BH, BM, or HT, have already been allocated to other nations, necessitating the retention of the “VT” code for India.
As the government prepares to introduce the new Aircraft Bill 2023, it aims to streamline and simplify various procedures within the aviation sector. The primary objective is to facilitate a more efficient and user-friendly regulatory environment, ensuring smoother operations and compliance for stakeholders in the aviation industry.
Additionally, the proposed Cape Town Convention Bill is expected to complement the Aircraft Bill, specifically addressing concerns related to the retention of leased aircraft and engines by insolvent airlines, as exemplified by the case of GoAir. The concurrent presentation of both bills during the upcoming winter session of the Parliament reflects the government’s proactive approach in modernizing the legal framework and fostering a more robust and responsive aviation sector in India.
The proposed overhaul of the Aircraft Act of 1934 represents a broader initiative by the Indian government to revamp and modernize outdated legislation, including certain archaic language and references, that have persisted over time. With the expected re-enactment of the Aircraft Bill, the removal of historical relics such as the references to the extension of the Act to various provinces and territories will likely be realized. Such amendments reflect a conscious effort to streamline the legal framework governing the aviation sector, fostering a more contemporary and relevant regulatory environment in line with the evolving needs of the industry.
Furthermore, the comprehensive legislative transformation envisioned by the Indian government extends beyond the aviation sector. Plans to replace fundamental legal pillars such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, with the proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, respectively, underscore a sweeping effort to modernize the legal landscape of the country. These changes are expected to reflect a contemporary approach to jurisprudence, addressing the evolving needs of a dynamic society and aligning India’s legal framework with the spirit of progress and inclusivity.
