The Union Cabinet is expected to take a decision on the creation of the Civil Aviation Authority on Thursday.
The proposed authority, which is to replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, will be an autonomous body, which will look after aviation safety and other issues connected with the sector, including secure and affordable air services. The proposed authority will have a chairperson, a director general, and will not have less than seven members and not more than nine members. A multi-member panel, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will select the chairperson, DG and the whole-time members.
The new authority will also enjoy administrative and financial freedom to meet functional requirements for an effective safety and oversight system, something that the DGCA lacks. In addition, it will also have the powers of economic and environmental regulations and consumer protection.
The recruitment process for the proposed authority will also be different from the DGCA, and the Union Public Services Commission will not have a role to play in the recruitment for the new body.
The proposed authority will not only pay market-linked salaries to its employees but will also follow a hire-and-fire policy.
After the Cabinet gives its clearance to the proposal, a Bill will have to be introduced and approved by Parliament before the authority is set up.
In March 2012, the then President, in an address to Parliament, had indicated that the authority would be set up.