**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 764, addressed on July 24, 2025, regarding compensation to victims on the ground in the event of a plane crash. The question raised concerns about the disparity between compensation provided to passengers under the Montreal Convention and the lack of a specific policy ensuring similar, timely, and adequate compensation for civilians who lose their lives or property on the ground due to a plane crash.
Specifically, the query highlighted the lengthy legal processes families of ground victims must undergo to claim compensation. The question further inquired whether the government plans to introduce a binding provision, similar to the Montreal Convention, making airlines strictly liable for compensating ground victims.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, responded that currently, there is no specific policy within the Ministry addressing compensation for damages suffered by civilians on the ground due to a plane crash. The response does not indicate any immediate plans for introducing such a policy or amendment.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, plans and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector in the country.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: Member of Parliament who posed the question related to compensation to victims of plane crashes.
Montreal Convention: An international treaty that establishes airline liability in the case of death or injury to passengers, as well as in cases of loss or damage to baggage and cargo.
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation is a junior minister in the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Government of India.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Compensation to Victims: The subject matter of the Lok Sabha question, specifically addressing compensation for civilians who lose their lives or property due to plane crashes.
Government: Refers to the Government of India, which is considering policy changes related to compensation for ground victims of plane crashes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 764
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS
764. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that there is no specific policy or rule that binds airlines
to provide similar, timely and adequate compensation to innocent civilians
who lose their lives or property on the ground due to plane crash while the
Montreal Convention ensures mandatory and timebound compensation for
passengers who die in such accidents and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government considers it fair that families of ground victims
must undergo lengthy legal processes to claim compensation despite the loss
being directly caused by the airline's operations and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to introduce a clear and binding
provision under which airlines would be fully and strictly liable for paying
compensation to ground victims in a manner similar to the Montreal
Convention for passengers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline proposed for introducing
such a policy or amendment and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d) Presently, there is no specific policy in this Ministry related to
compensation for damages suffered by civilians on the ground due to a plane
crash.
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