Odishatv Bureau

New Delhi: Tightening regulations for drones which could be a potential security threat in the sky, the Civil Aviation Ministry has asked individuals or firms to voluntarily disclose the details about the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) starting Tuesday.

Failing to make disclosure by January 31 will attract penal action in accordance with the present law.

An official note from the ministry said that those possessing drones are required to submit information about them. Accordingly, they can visit the dedicated digital platform and share the drone details.

"This is the global practice. It is the baseline information which authorities require drone operators to share," a former Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said.

As per the drone guidelines by the aviation regulator, drone operators have to obtain Unique Identification Number (UIN), Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) and other operational requirements before flying them in the sky.

"It was brought to the notice of the Government of India that such drones and drone operators are not complying with the CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) mentioned above," the Aviation Ministry said in a statement.

"The conditions of No Permission-No Take off (NPNT) as envisaged in the aforesaid CAR are not mandatory for this purpose whereas if drones are operated without due permission, the aforesaid process of CAR is violated. The deadline to submit the required information to the Government is 31st January 2020," it said.

On successful submission of voluntary disclosure of possessing drone, a Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN) and an Ownership Acknowledgement Number (OAN) will be issued online to the owners. This will assist in validation of operations of drones in India.

"However, the DAN or OAN does not confer any right to operate a drone(s) in India, if it does not fulfil the provisions given in the CAR. Further, ownership of drone(s) in India without a valid DAN or OAN shall invite penal action as per applicable laws," the ministry said.

(IANS)

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