DGCA advisory asks airlines to provide Hindi newspapers on flights

DGCA joint director general Lalit Gupta said, “not providing Hindi reading material on board is against Indian government’s policy for official language”.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to airlines directing them to carry Hindi newspapers and magazines.

Air India aircraft photographed at Mumbai International Airport on July 24, 2009. Photograph: ABHIJIT BHATLEKAR/MINT

The notice has been issued to ensure that reading material in both English and Hindi languages are offered to the passengers.

“Not providing Hindi reading material on board is against Indian government’s policy for official language”, Lalit Gupta, joint director general, DGCA, said in a letter to airlines.

Reacting to the advisory, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “DGCA now wants Hindi publications served on Indian flights (together with vegetarian meals?)!”

Earlier this month, Air India decided to stop serving non-vegetarian meals to its economy class passengers on domestic flights, sparking a controversy . Air India said the initiative was taken to cut costs.