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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

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