Kathmandu, March 30 -- The proposed Integrated Civil Aviation Bill to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into two entities--a regulatory body and service provider--to facilitate stringent enforcement of safety measures has been thrown into uncertainty again.

Progress on the legislation has been frustratingly slow. The government has been working on it for the last nine years. In the latest episode, the Tourism Ministry has formed yet another committee to prepare a new draft suggesting an appropriate modality to fragment the aviation authority. The ministry already has three draft reports gathering dust on its shelves.

A new five-member panel has been formed under the leadership of Tourism Joint Secretary Suresh Acharya. Some av...