New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is in a spot over a request from the office of Vice President Hamid Ansari. It has been asked to make an exception and accord a ceremonial guard of honour to the Vice President at the airport itself while on a visit to a state capital.
Only the President is entitled to a guard of honour at domestic airports. Ministry officials said they were going by the Blue Book and it will not be an easy decision to extend the airport protocol.
The request was made on May 3 by the office of the Vice President in a letter to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. On July 23, the BCAS sought directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
BCAS guidelines ban ceremonies or receptions on the air side of the airport since it is construed a safety concern and hampers routine airport operations. But on December 12, 2009, a circular was issued which made an exception for the President who was permitted a ceremonial guard of honour at the airport itself during a visit to any state capital.
Ansari's office has quoted the same "exception'' in a carefully-drafted letter.
Read News In full 12/09/13 Ajmer Singh/Indian Express
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