Karnataka civil aviation policy to be placed in next cabinet meeting
Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil said the policy covers financial assistance and the management of state-operated airports.
The Karnataka Government has formulated a comprehensive policy to promote civil aviation growth in the state, which will be presented at the next Cabinet meeting, according to ANI and The Hindu.
Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil said on Tuesday that the policy includes financial assistance, Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and the efficient management of airports operated by the state government.
Patil suggested the policy could serve as a model for the entire country.
The Minister attributed the suspension of flight services at Shivamogga Airport to shortcomings in the Union Government's UDAN-2 policy. He alleged the Centre ignored a state proposal to extend the scheme from three to five years, followed by five years of joint operation with shared expenditure.
Patil also criticised the privatisation of airports, noting that Mangaluru Airport was handed to the Adani Group and Hubballi Airport is being moved towards privatisation. He stated that flight operations at 17 airports across the country have been suspended.
The Minister further alleged that the Union Government created a crisis by allowing ethanol blending beyond prescribed limits. He held Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari responsible, though Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has defended the Centre's actions.