DGCA facing staff crunch: Times

Newspaper report points to top bosses retirement leaving the high seats empty

BY A CORRESPONDENT
April 5, 2006

DGCA, the country's aviation regulator is facing a stinging staff shortage, the country's leading English daily Times of India reported. Four of the top bosses at DGCA are leaving, including the director general Satinder Singh. According to a report, Capt R L Bayala, deputy DGCA (flying training), D P Ghosh, director, air worthiness (western region) and Mangilal Rohilla, director, air worthiness (northern region) have also retired by March 31. The staff crunch at DGCA comes at a time when the country's aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented boom.

Staff strength at DGCA has not kept pace with the increase in number of airline operators and aircraft. For the entire western region which has 25 airports, which handle about 800 landings and takeoffs daily. The air safety staff strength of barely five people for this sector means that there is little possibility of keeping track of airlines' adherence to safety standards, the Times added.

India had 127 aircraft and 123 DGCA staff te years back. Now, the number has shot up to to 487, but DGCA's staff strength remains stuck at 140.