Airports Economic Regulatory Authority Bill introduced in RS

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Friday introduced a Bill in Rajya Sabha that proposes to allow the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) to bid out any new airport at a pre-determined tariff structure.

However, as soon as Puri rose to introduce the Bill, Jairam Ramesh (Cong), said it should go to a Parliamentary Standing Committee first.

"This (introduction of bill) is gross violation of Parliametary proceedings," Ramesh said, adding it should go to a standing committee.

To this, Leader of the House Thawar Chand Gehlot said discussion was not possible today.

The Chair said it was only allowing Puri to introduce the Bill.

The Cabinet on June 24 had approved the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority(Amendment) Bill.

The AERA is a regulator that has the powers to set the tariffs charged at airports.

The amendment is proposed to allow the AERA to bid out any new airport at a pre-determined tariff structure, sources had said.

Currently, major airports with an annual capacity to handle one-and-a-half million passengers come under the purview of AERA.

If the amendment is passed by Parliament, the definition of major airports would be changed to any aerodrome which has or is designated to have annual passenger capacity of three- and-a-half million.

The AERA (Amendment) Bill was last approved by the Cabinet during the Modi government's first tenure in December 2017. However, it could not be passed in last year's Monsoon Session.

As a new Lok Sabha has come in place now, the older bill has lapsed. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the bill again so that it can be re-introduced in Parliament for passage.