Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) plays a pivotal role in the governance and advancement of the Civil Aviation sector within the country. Its primary responsibility lies in the formulation of comprehensive national policies and programmes aimed at fostering the growth, safety, and regulation of civil aviation. This encompasses a wide array of activities, from establishing regulatory frameworks to promoting infrastructural development that aligns with international standards and practices.

In addition to policy-making, the Ministry is charged with the administration of crucial legislative frameworks such as the Aircraft Act, 1934 and the Aircraft Rules, 1937. These pieces of legislation are foundational in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and regulation of civil aviation operations across the nation.

Furthermore, the Ministry oversees various other legislations that pertain to the aviation sector, ensuring that all activities within this domain adhere to established laws and international norms.

To effectively manage its responsibilities, the Ministry exercises administrative control over several attached and autonomous organizations that are integral to the functioning of civil aviation.

These include:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): This body serves as the regulatory authority for civil aviation in India, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations.

• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): Responsible for the security of civil aviation operations, BCAS implements measures to safeguard passengers and aircraft from potential threats.

• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy (IGRUA): This premier aviation training institution provides high-quality education and training to aspiring pilots and aviation professionals.

Moreover, the Ministry also oversees several affiliated Public Sector Undertakings that are crucial for the operational and infrastructural framework of civil aviation in India.

These include:

• National Aviation Company of India Limited: This company plays a significant role in providing air transport services and enhancing connectivity.

• Airports Authority of India: Responsible for creating, upgrading, and maintaining airport infrastructure across the country, ensuring that airports meet both domestic and international standards.

• Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited: This undertaking focuses on providing helicopter services for various purposes, including tourism, medical emergencies, and offshore operations.

In addition to its primary functions, the Commission of Railway Safety, which oversees safety protocols in rail travel and operations as mandated by the Railways Act, 1989, also falls under the administrative control of this Ministry. This reflects the Ministry's broader commitment to ensuring safety and regulatory compliance across multiple modes of transportation.

The highest office within the Ministry is held by The Secretary, who is recognized as The Chief Accounting Authority. This position is crucial for the overall management and accountability of the Ministry's financial operations.

Location

Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan at the Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi serves as the headquarters for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, strategically located to facilitate oversight and coordination with various aviation stakeholders.

The Secretary

The Secretary bears significant responsibilities, particularly in the realm of financial management and accounting functions. This role is supported by the Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser (AS&FA) and the Chief Financial Controller, ensuring a robust financial governance structure within the Ministry.

The Accounting Organisation of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is composed of several key components that facilitate effective financial management:

• The Principal Accounts Office: This office plays a vital role in the financial oversight of the Ministry.

• Internal Audit Wing: Responsible for conducting audits to ensure compliance with financial regulations and efficient use of resources.

• Two local Pay & Accounts Offices (PAO) located in Delhi, namely PAO-Secretariat and PAO-Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which manage financial transactions and accounting functions at the local level.

• Three outstation/regional PAOs situated in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, each headed by an Accounts Officer or Senior Accounts Officer, to manage regional financial operations effectively.

Chief Financial Controller (CFC)

The Chief Financial Controller operates as a representative of the Controller General of Accounts, holding the position of Head of the Department (HOD) of the Accounting Organization under the Integrated Financial Scheme.

This role is supported by both the Financial Controller and Assistant Financial Controller, ensuring a comprehensive approach to financial management.

The Chief Financial Controller (CFC) has several critical responsibilities, including:

• Acting as the Principal Adviser on all accounting matters to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, providing expert guidance and oversight.

• Establishing and managing a technically sound Management Accounting System that aligns with best practices and regulatory requirements.

• Preparing and submitting the Ministry's accounts in the prescribed format to the Office of the Controller General of Accounts, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Overseeing exchequer control and conducting internal audits to maintain financial integrity and compliance.

The Chief Financial Controller’s (CFC) organization fulfills these responsibilities through the Principal Accounts Office and five Pay & Accounts Offices, ensuring that all financial activities are conducted efficiently and transparently.

Principal Accounts Office (MCAT)

The MCAT serves as a crucial link between the Civil Ministry and the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). It plays a fundamental role in the consolidation of monthly and annual accounts received from various regional Pay and Accounts Offices, ensuring that financial reporting is accurate and timely.

The Principal Accounts Office is tasked with preparing the monthly accounts, which must be rendered promptly to the office of the Controller General of Accounts, facilitating effective financial oversight at the national level.

Additionally, it prepares essential financial documents, including:

• Appropriation Accounts: These accounts detail the allocation and utilization of funds.

• Statement of Central Transaction: This document summarizes financial transactions at the central level.

• Material for the Finance account of the Union Government (Civil) for the Ministry, which is crucial for national budgeting and financial planning.

The MCAT serves multiple Ministries within the Government of India, including:

• Ministry of Civil Aviation: Directly responsible for aviation-related financial matters.

• Ministry of Tourism: Engaged in financial oversight related to tourism initiatives and developments.

Pay & Accounts Offices (PAO)

The Pay & Accounts Offices (PAO) represent the basic units of the Departmentalized Accounting Organisation, playing a vital role in the financial management framework of the Ministry.

The main functions of the PAOs encompass a wide range of financial activities, including but not limited to:

• Pre-check and payment of all bills, including those related to loans and grant-in-aid, submitted by respective Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs), ensuring that all payments are processed accurately and in compliance with regulations.

• Post check of bills that have been paid by the cheque drawing DDOs, providing an additional layer of financial oversight.

• Maintenance of broadsheets for General Provident Fund (GPF), Long Term Loans and Advances, and various other financial heads, ensuring accurate record-keeping and accountability.

• Authorization of Pension and other retirement benefits for employees of the ministry and its subordinate or attached offices, facilitating timely and accurate disbursements.

• Issuance of quarterly letters of credit to the Cheque Drawing DDOs, ensuring that funds are available as needed for operational activities.