subject: Govt sets up panel on fare probity [print this page] Govt sets up panel on fare probity Govt sets up panel on fare probity
Unsatisfied with the transparency that airlines have got into their fare structures, the government on Wednesday set up a working group with representatives of consumer rights organizations. This group has to give suggestions on how "to protect consumer interest including disclosure of tariffs and conditions of service" and give its first report to the aviation ministry by next Thursday.
Chaired by DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan, the "working group on regulatory framework" has been assigned the task of examining existing passenger fare structuring of all airlines including kingfisher, IndiGo Airlines, Jetairways, Jetlite, Goair, and other airlines; and the manner in which the fares are disclosed to the public. It will see whether the current systems lets people make an informed choice or not and will decide further processing to be done.
"The group shall identify areas where disclosure of tariffs and conditions of service require further improvement in promoting transparency to protect interest of consumers. It will recommend measures to enhance transparency in the disclosure of tariffs and conditions of service," said a ministry spokesperson.
Among the members of the group are D Sudhakara Reddy of Air Passengers Association of India; Travel Agents Association of India chief Rajji Rai; Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation India head Kapil Kaul and representatives of Air India and IndiGo Airlines. The group is to study international best practices in disclosure and transparency of prices by all airlines. The panel will keep a close watch on the fares structuring so that fares can be controlled.
