Sign In
Learn bits
Polity & Governance
Mahesh

20/08/22 02:05 AM IST

Draft Port Bill

In News 
  • As part of its plan to revamp the  British era legislation for the port sector, the government has issued Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 for stakeholder consultation.
Provisions 
  • It seeks to repeal and replace the existing Indian Ports Act 1908, which is more than 110 years old.
  • The bill will ensure the prevention and containment of pollution at ports, by complying with the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party
  • India has signed the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
  • Empower and establish State Maritime Boards and State Maritimes Development Council for effective administration, control and management of non-major ports in India.
  • Provide adjudicatory mechanisms for redressal of port-related disputes
  • Establish a national council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector.
  • Constitution of maritime State Development Fund
  • It will ensure optimum utilisation of the coastline of India, address logistics bottlenecks and help India emerge as a major trading hub.
The primary objectives of the proposed bill are four-fold
  •  to promote integrated planning between States inter-se and Centre-States through a purely consultative and recommendatory framework;
  • ensure prevention of pollution measures for all ports in India while incorporating India’s obligations under international treaties;
  • address lacunae in the dispute resolution framework required for burgeoning ports sector;
  • usher-in transparency and cooperation in development and other aspects through use of data.
Need of the bill 
  • India has a 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.
  • About 95% of India’s trade by volume and 65% by value is done through maritime transport facilitated by ports.
  • The proposed bill will homogenize and streamline the development of the maritime sector, along with, promoting ease of doing business by eliminating unnecessary delays, disagreements and defining responsibilities.
  • It will incorporate State Maritime Boards in the national framework. 
Source- The Hindu

More Related Current Affairs View All

15 Nov

Government issues guidelines to curb misleading ads by coaching centres

'The central Government issued new guidelines aimed at curbing misleading advertisements by coaching institutes, specifically prohibiting false promises such as "100 per cent selec

Read More

15 Nov

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

'Every year on November 15th, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated to honor the contributions of these communities, especially in India’s freedom struggle.' 5th November

Read More

15 Nov

Supreme Court’s order on mandatory accessibility standards

'A bench of the Supreme Court last week ordered the Union government to frame mandatory rules for ensuring the accessibility of public places and services to persons with disabilit

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps