Consultation Paper on ADR in Civil Aviation Sector Issued - Comments to reach by 15th April

Recently, Ministry of Civil Aviation (Government of India) has issued a Consultation Paper on “Ombudsman for Civil Aviation”. The paper has been issued to explore the possibility of creating  an  alternative  dispute  settlement mechanism for Aviation sector in India. If established, the same would serve as an effective grievance redressal for passengers and other stakeholders.

The paper has been divided into six chapters with last chapter enlisting the Issues for Discussions. The issues, as enumerated in Chapter 6, are as follows:

(i)   Whether there is sufficient legal basis for the Central govt.  to  take  measures  for  protecting  the  interests  of  consumers  including  creating  alternative  dispute  settlement  machinery  like  Ombudsman  without  resorting  to amendment of the Aircraft Act, 1934?

(ii) Whether inclusion of disputes between users of airports like cargo agents  and  the  airport  operator/  custodian/  ground  handling  agent/carrier  etc  under  the domain of Ombudsman will be consistent with the provisions of AERA Act?

(iii) Who all should be covered under the ambit of Ombudsman?

(iv) What constitutes a dispute that can be handled by an Ombudsman?

(v)  What should be the Organisational setup of Ombudsman?

(vi) Should the funding pattern be on lines of the Insurance and Delhi Ombudsman model wherein service providers fund the Ombudsman’s budget in a predetermined proportion?

(vii)  If  parties  engaged  in commercial  pursuit  are  brought  under  the  ambit  of  the  Ombudsman, then should any dispute settlement facility be made available to them for a nominal fee?

(viii) Should there be an upper limit for the amount under dispute that can be entertained by Ombudsman?

(ix)        How should the work of Ombudsman’s office be divided in terms of territorial jurisdiction?

(x)  Whether there should be an Appellate Body for reviewing Ombudsman’s decisions?

(xi)        Whether Ombudsman should have an exclusive jurisdiction if it is chosen as the forum to resolve dispute?

As per the press release issued by the Ministry, comments should reach latest by 15^th April, 2014. The comments can either be addressed to Economic Adviser, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India or can alternatively be sent to eco-adv.moca@nic.in.