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Cabinet clears National Civil Aviation Policy

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Govt approves replacing ‘5/20 rule’

In a landmark move, the Union government on Wednesday approved a plan to replace a decade-old rule for allowing new domestic airlines set up in India to fly on international routes.

New airlines, such as Vistara and AirAsia, can now fly to international routes after operating at least 20 aircraft in the domestic market.

The new norms were a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 which was approved by the Union Cabinet here on Wednesday.

What is 5/20 rule?

According to the previous norm, also known as the ‘5/20 rule’, a domestic airline were allowed to go international only after completing five years of domestic flying and operate at least 20 aircraft.

According to the new rules, new airlines will need to deploy 20 aircraft or 20 per cent of the total fleet size, whichever is higher, on domestic routes in order to secure international flying rights.

The ‘5/20 rule’ was approved by the previous government in December 2004 when many decisions were taken to protect national carrier Air India. At that time, along with Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and defunct airline Air Sahara were allowed to fly on international routes. IndiGo, launched in 2006, had to wait till 2011 to begin operating on international routes and SpiceJet, which began operations in 2005, had to wait till 2010 to do so.

The gamechanger

Vistara, set up in January 2015, has 11 planes presently and plans to expand fleet to 20 planes by June 2018. AirAsia India, which began operations in June 2014, has been slow in its fleet expansion due to lack of clarity on the international flying norms and operates eight planes at present. Both the airlines may, however, review its fleet expansion plan after the new norms are set in.

Older airlines such as IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet that fly abroad have been opposing any proposal to relax the ‘5/20 rule’ and had also approached top government officials, including the Prime Minister’s Office, to lobby for the rule.

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Porn video played at Patna Railway Station on TV screens, officials take strict action

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A bizarre occurrence took place on Sunday morning about 9:30 am at the Patna train station in Bihar, when a porn film was broadcast on the station’s TV screens for three minutes. Disgruntled, pople reported the event to the GRP and the RPF.

After reporting the incident to the Government Railway Police and receiving no response, the Railway Protection Force contacted Dutta Communication, the agency responsible for running advertisements on the screens, and asked the agency to stop relaying the porn clip in front of people, including women and children.

The incident, which allegedly occurred on platform number 10, was captured on a passenger’s smartphone.

The railway authorities then filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dutta Communication, leading to the company’s disqualification from future contracts with the Railways. Moreover, the agency has been fined as a result of the unfortunate occurrence.

There were rumours that the railway company had cancelled its contract with the company responsible for airing adverts on the station’s TVs. The Railway Department, however, has said that they are launching their own investigation into the situation.

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Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb’ Shiv Sainik has become the CM: Eknath Shinde

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Panaji: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Friday said that not only his Assembly colleagues but Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become Chief Minister of the State.

Supported by BJP, Shinde on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra after enjoying support of breakway section of Shiv Sena MLAs and other Independents.

The chief minister after taking the oath in Mumbai came back to Goa during the midnight to meet his colleagues who had supported him to rebel against outgoing CM Uddhav Thackrey.

Talking to reporters at Goa Airport, Shinde said that Maharashtra could see this day because of his 40 plus 10, total 50 MLAs.

“My colleagues (MLAs) and entire Maharashtra is  happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become the chief minister of the state,” he commented.

The chief minister said that the government will do the works that are expected from them by the people from Maharashtra.

Shinde said that his government will work to deliver justice to every section of the society.

“We will also take ahead vision of Balasaheb Thackrey,” he commented.

When asked about the cabinet expansion, Shinde said that the future strategy would be discussed in the meeting with the colleagues.

Shinde along with his supporting MLAs had arrived in Goa on Wednesday night. On Thursday afternoon, Shinde had left for Mumbai.

In a series of political developments that unfolded in Mumbai, Shinde was sworn-in as the chief minister even as BJP leader Devendra Fadanavis took oath as the Deputy Chief minister of Maharashtra.

His swearing-in was celebrated by Shiv Sena MLAs who continued to remain in a resort at Dona Paula in Goa.

After landing at Dabolim Airport, Shinde went to the resort, located 30 kms away from the Airport, where the MLAs supporting him were waiting to welcome him. (GoaNewsHub)

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PM dedicates to the nationl electrified route network of KRCL

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Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated to the nation the electrified route network of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited in virtual mode from Bengaluru. Union minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, State Public Works Department Minister Nilesh Cabral and others were present for the function at Margao Railway station. The Prime Minister inaugurated the electrified route. A cargo train was the first one to run on the electrified route from Margao Railway Station. A senior KRCL official said that on the Southern end of KRCL jurisdiction, Railway Electrification of Mangalore- Shoranur section is completed. “On the Northern end, Railway Electrification of Panvel-Pen-Roha section, a short stretch of 75.86 KM, is also completed. Further, Railway Electrification of Hospet-Hubli-Vasco-da-Gama section of South Western Railway is under progress,” he said.

The official said that in such a scenario, Railway Electrification of KRCL portion of the route had become necessary for seamless train operations over the entire west coast connecting North, Central and Southern India on electric traction. He said that Konkan Railway passes through dense forest cover of Sahayadri hills along the Western Coastal Strip. “This region is endowed with rich natural beauty and mineral resources. Electrification of Konkan Railway route will not only prove to be a major step in conserving its rich natural heritage and flora and fauna of the region but also help in its economic development,” he added. The official said that the electrification project was taken up with a cost of Rs 1100 Cr on 20 per cent Equity and 80 per cent Debt. “The Equity portion of Rs 200 Cr was funded promptly by the shareholders of KRCL i.e Ministry of Railways, Govt. of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. The remaining amount of Rs 900 Cr was arranged through Long Term Rupee loan from a consortium of lenders consisting of State Bank of India and EXIM Bank,” he said.

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