Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said that states should treat the proposed ‘Indian Port Bill’ as a ‘development issue’ rather than a political one, asserting that the bill is being implemented by the Center and maritime states for seafaring. Will facilitate optimum utilization and management. Virtually addressing the 18th meeting of the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC), Mandaviya assured the states that his ministry would welcome all their suggestions to develop a comprehensive port bill, a ministry statement said.
The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways further said that the Central and State Governments will jointly work on the development of the maritime sector, including several non-functional ports. The MSDC aims to develop a national plan for development of the maritime sector beneficial to both the states and the Center and adopt best practices for the sector, the minister said.
Mandaviya said that the development of the country depends on the development of the states and MSDC is the best example of cooperative federalism. “We cannot develop in a scattered way, we can achieve unitedly,” he said. Emphasizing on the need for the ‘Indian Ports Bill 2021’, the Minister requested the State Governments to view the Indian Ports Bill as a development issue and not as a development issue. As a political issue, the statement said. He highlighted that the ‘Indian Port Bill 2021’ will facilitate optimum management and utilization of the coastline through the participation of both the Central Government and the Maritime States/UTs.
It pointed out that in FY 2020, the traffic at Indian ports is around 1.2 billion metric tonnes, which is expected to increase to 2.5 billion metric tonnes by 2030. “On the other hand, only a few ports in India have deep draft that can handle capsize ships. In addition, about 100 non-functional ports have been distributed along the coast of India,” the statement said.
Noting that the MSDC will advise on the planning of all ports including major ports, the statement said that the Indian Ports Bill 2021 will provide for the implementation of all the requirements set out in such conventions by all ports from the Security, Security and Prevention of Pollution. There are several related conferences involved.
The major items discussed during the meeting include Indian Ports Bill 2021, National Maritime Heritage Museum (NMHC), rail and road connectivity with ports, floating jetties for maritime operations and seaplane operations, Sagarmala projects and National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) projects. . MSDC is an apex advisory body for the development of the maritime sector and aims to ensure integrated development of major and non-major ports. MSDC was constituted in May 1997 by the respective maritime states in consultation with the State Governments to assess the future development of existing and new minor ports, either directly or through captive users and private partnerships.
On Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu government opposed the draft Indian Ports Bill 2021 related to the management of minor ports, with Chief Minister MK Stalin writing to his counterparts in eight states, including West Bengal and Kerala, objecting to the proposal. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has prepared a draft bill to revise the existing management model of minor ports.
As per the existing Indian Ports Act, 1908, the powers to plan, develop, regulate and control small ports rest with the respective state governments, but the latest draft seeks to ‘change this and transfer many of these powers to the MSDC. There is a proposal, which has so far been only an advisory body,’ Stalin had said. In his letter to the Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and the State, he said, “Besides, many of the powers currently exercised by the State Governments are in the hands of the Central Government.” Will be taken.” Union Territory of Puducherry.
This move of the central government to introduce a new bill will have a long-term adverse impact on the management of small ports, as the state governments will no longer have a major role, if the bill is passed,’ Stalin had said.
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