LS passes Bill to set up Airport Economic Regulatory Authority

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today passed by voice vote a Bill to provide setting up of the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority that would regulate tariff and other charges at airports besides monitoring their performance standards.

The Bill was passed without discussion as RJD members created an uproar by raising slogans and coming into the well of the House.

They demanded severe action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly attacking north Indians in Mumbai.

They were equally matched in sloganeering by Left MPs from Kerala, mainly the CPI-M and CPI, who demanded restoration of foodgrain quota, now reduced, from the Central pool for the state.

This led to a pandemonium and Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, who was in the chair, passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERAI) Bill, 2007, presented by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, by voice vote.

The AERAI Bill 2007 provides for the establishment of Airport Economic Regulatory Authority to regulate tariff and other charges for the aeronautical services rendered at airports and to monitor performance standards of airports.

It also seeks to establish an Appellate Tribunal to adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals and related or incidental matters.

As the din continued, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

UNI AN RL AS1619