The Government has invited suggestions from the public or stakeholders regarding the draft Space Activities Bill, 2017. The objective of the Space Bill is to facilitate the overall growth of the space activities in India with higher order of participation of public/ non-governmental/ private sector stakeholders.           

The Bill provides for establishment of a regulatory mechanism through an appropriate body, by the Central Government for the purpose of authorization and licensing of space activities. The provision on liability for damages caused by space activities of licensee, provides for a risk sharing mechanism, by which the central Government may determine the quantum of liability to be borne by the licensee.  

Totally 52 responses were received from various group of stake holders, which includes General public (15), Indian Aerospace industry and start-ups (04), law firms and lawyers (04), Space law experts and scholars (09), satcom companies (04), industry fora (07) and scientists (09).

Responses fall broadly under the category of seeking clarifications and suggestions on certain provisions, such as scope of space activities, regulatory mechanism, licencing and authorization procedures, sharing of liability burden with a limit on damage costs, penal provisions, powers of Central Government, etc.  

Steps are being taken up on best effort basis so that the Bill could be possibly introduced during Budget session in 2019

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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