….Not long ago, the case of the toxic cough syrup Coldrif revealed that regulatory bodies had failed to perform their duties properly. More than 25 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after consuming this toxic cough syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) sets regulations for drug manufacturing in the country, but state drug regulatory authorities handle tasks such as licensing factories, inspecting drug manufacturing facilities, and testing drug samples.

The capabilities of such state authorities vary, and the CSDAO lacks the authority to monitor their functioning. Following the deaths of 25 children from toxic cough syrup, there were reports that drug manufacturing and testing systems would be strengthened, but it’s difficult to say whether this will be possible and whether cases like the one in Coldrif will not recur. Ideally, strengthening the drug manufacturing process and quality control agencies should have been undertaken when several children in Gambia and Uzbekistan died a few years ago after consuming Indian-made cough syrup.

In our country, there are regulatory bodies for every sector, but the question remains unanswered whether they are competent enough and are able to do their work properly? The latest case is of DGCA, the regulatory body of aviation services. Instead of implementing the rules made by DGCA, Indigo Airlines decided to ignore them and that too when it, along with other airlines, had been given about two years to do so. Other airlines implemented the rules of DGCA regarding increasing the rest hours for pilots, but Indigo did not do so and that too when other airlines are running in losses and Indigo is in profit.

Instead of complying with the new regulations, IndiGo created a situation that forced the DGCA to postpone implementing its own regulations. This situation arose because IndiGo canceled a large number of its flights. This caused millions of passengers to suffer. Not only was their time and money wasted, but their important work was also disrupted. Some missed exams, others missed interviews, important meetings, or other work. The financial, physical, and mental hardship faced by millions of air travelers is difficult to quantify.

IndiGo, by canceling its flights and crippling air travel, created a situation where the DGCA had to surrender. The way it leveraged its market share to force the DGCA to bow down, brought disrepute not only to the regulatory body but also to the government, because the DGCA’s bowing down means the Indian government’s bowing down. The Modi government should realize that the IndiGo incident has damaged its image as a strong government. The crisis faced by millions of air passengers also brought disrepute to the country, as the cancellation of IndiGo flights inconvenienced both domestic and international travelers.

It is unfortunate that no one at the DGCA bothered to see if IndiGo was complying with the regulations set by it. There are good reasons to believe that no one at the DGCA was there to see that if IndiGo, which has the largest share in the aviation market, did not implement the regulations set by it, it would not only send a wrong message to the international aviation industry but also make the companies that followed its regulations feel cheated.

At a time when the role of the private sector is growing and is set to expand further in the future, competent regulatory bodies are not only necessary but essential. Currently, only a few regulatory bodies can be considered competent and vigilant. Most regulatory bodies are failing to meet these standards. Some lack adequate powers, while others suffer from a lack of resources. Cases from various sectors frequently emerge, demonstrating that regulatory bodies are often ineffective in preventing malpractices and arbitrariness.

If regulatory bodies are not effective, private sector companies could act arbitrarily, as Indigo did. The government must realize that if regulatory bodies are not effective, private sector companies will run amok, resulting in a decline in the quality of products and services. Regulatory bodies must be effective not only to improve the quality of products and services and to resolve consumer complaints in a timely and appropriate manner. They must also be effective because a country becomes strong and developed only through the vigilance of its institutions