March 19, 2023
2 mins read

Number of RCS-UDAN passengers falls

In its latest report, the Committee noted that there has been a fluctuation in the number of RCS passengers who have benefitted from the UDAN Scheme….reports Asian Lite News

Number of air-passengers benefitting from the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) has come down in 2022-23.

A Parliamentary standing Committee took note of the dwindling numbers and has sought an explanation from the Ministry.

In its latest report, the Committee noted that there has been a fluctuation in the number of RCS passengers who have benefitted from the UDAN Scheme. While the number of RCS passengers rose from 3 lakh (2017-18), to 12 lakh (2018-19), to 31 lakh (2019-20) after the initiation of the Scheme in 2016, it dipped to 15 lakh in 2020-21.

“Though, the number of RCS passengers benefitted grew to 33 lakh in 2021-22, it has again come down to 20 lakh passengers as on 31.01.2023. The Committee would like to know the reasons for the reduction in number of passengers benefitting from this Scheme during 2022-23. The Committee also desires to know the details of plans for the year 2023-24, wherein the Ministry aims to increase the number of passengers benefited to 30 lakh,” said the Demand for Grants (2023-24)n report of Civil Aviation Ministry.

It also noted that as per the Output Outcome Monitoring Framework for 2022-23 (till 31.12.2022), the Ministry has not been able to achieve the targets in most cases, with achievements in the range of 40 per cent to 67per cent only. Only in the case of passengers travelled in NER, it has achieved a percentage of 261.5 per cent.

“The Committee notes the low performance of the Ministry on almost all the constituents of the RCS-UDAN Scheme, except one. The Committee hopes that with the increased allocation, the Ministry would do meticulous planning to ensure full utilisation of funds and achievement of targets,” said the report.

The Civil Aviation Ministry launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -UDAN on October 21, 2016. RCS-UDAN is a flagship programme of the Ministry. The primary objective of RCS-UDAN is to facilitate or stimulate regional air connectivity and by making it affordable to masses through measures like concessions by Central Government; State Governments/ Union Territories (UTs); and Airport Operators to reduce the cost of airline operations on regional routes/ other support measures and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to meet the gap, if any, between the cost of airline operations and expected revenues on such routes.

ALSO READ: Salesforce spreads India footprint

Previous Story

Majoritarianism on March in Israel

Next Story

G. Krishnakumar appointed new BPCL Chairman

Latest from Business

Apple Appoints Sabih Khan as New COO

Khan will take over from Jeff Williams, who is stepping down from the role this month and will retire later this year…reports Asian Lite News Apple has announced that Sabih Khan, an

Microsoft Cuts Deep

The fresh job cuts come less than two months after Microsoft announced it was laying off more than 6,000 employees…reports Asian Lite News Microsoft is set to cut around 9,000 jobs —

Northeast Is Growth Engine

Scindia also provided updates on the government’s efforts to facilitate the entry of SpaceX’s Starlink service into India. “All due diligence from the Ministry’s side is complete Union Minister for Communications and

India to Empower Global South

India is emerging as a pivotal force in the global transition to clean energy, with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, asserting that the country is empowering the Global

Maruti’s Global Push Breaks Record

June shipments hit 37,842 units, signalling robust global demand Maruti Suzuki India recorded its highest-ever monthly exports in June, shipping 37,842 units and marking a new milestone that highlights the company’s expanding
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Punjab gets back to winning ways, beat Lucknow by two wickets

Lucknow had a fiery start to their defence of 159

‘Indians Now Daring to Go Global’ 

The Union Minister also emphasized that India needs to further