In a significant move aimed at strengthening aviation and passenger safety, the government has authorised Lieutenant-Governors and administrators of eight Union Territories to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the state government under the provisions of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982.In a notification issued here today, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the President had issued the related orders authorising L-Gs and administrators in exercise of her powers under Article 239 (1) of the Constitution.The notification applies to the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Ladakh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.The order says that the Lieutenant-Governors or administrators of these Union Territories will exercise the powers and discharge the functions assigned to the state government under the Act. These powers will be exercised subject to the control of the President and in concurrence with the Chief Justice of the High Court having jurisdiction over the respective Union Territory.The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, provides the legal framework for dealing with offences that threaten the safety and security of civil aviation in India.As Union Territories do not generally have state governments, the notification authorises their administrators or Lieutenant-Governors to exercise the statutory powers of the state government under the Act. The arrangement will remain in force until further orders.The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, is a central law that prescribes stringent penalties, including life imprisonment, for acts of violence, sabotage, hijacking and the destruction of air navigation facilities that jeopardise the safety and security of civil aviation.The law prohibits and penalises violence on board, damage or destruction of aircraft in service, placement of explosives and unlawful destruction of air navigation facilities endangering aircraft safety.