The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the central government for its delay in filing a response to a plea seeking regulation of airfares during the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah expressed displeasure over the government's inaction, stating that the matter involved the interests of the common man and required urgent attention.
Court's Remarks on Government's Delay
The bench observed that the government had been given sufficient time to respond but had failed to do so. "This is not acceptable. The matter is of public importance, and the government must file its reply at the earliest," the court remarked. The Supreme Court also noted that the issue of exorbitant airfares had been raised repeatedly, and passengers were being exploited.
Plea for Airfare Regulation
The plea, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, sought a direction to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to regulate airfares to prevent arbitrary pricing. The petitioner argued that airlines were charging exorbitant fares, especially during emergencies, which violated the fundamental rights of citizens. The plea also highlighted that the government had not taken adequate steps to monitor or cap fares despite repeated complaints.
Government's Stand
The central government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, submitted that it would file a reply within a week. The court granted the government one week to file its response and posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks. The government also assured the court that it was considering measures to address the issue.
Consumer Concerns
The Supreme Court's intervention comes amid growing concerns over skyrocketing airfares, particularly during the pandemic when travel restrictions were eased. Many passengers have complained about fares being several times higher than normal, making air travel unaffordable for the common person. The court emphasized that the government must strike a balance between the interests of airlines and passengers.
Previous Orders
In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had asked the government to consider capping airfares for domestic flights, especially for emergency travel. However, the government had resisted such a move, citing the need for market forces to determine prices. The court had then directed the government to file a detailed response, which has now been delayed.
Next Hearing
The matter will be heard next on May 10, by which time the government is expected to file its reply. The court warned that if the government fails to comply, it may consider passing interim orders to regulate airfares. The case has significant implications for the aviation sector and consumer rights in India.
