Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022
Source: PIB
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies

What is discussed under Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022?

1. Need, primary objectives and key features of Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022.

Why in News?

1. The government has issued the Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022 for stakeholder consultation to repeal and replace the existing ‘Indian Ports Act of 1908’.

Key Facts

• India has a 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and a strategic location on major global marine trading routes.
• By volume and value, ports enable over 95% and 65% of India’s commerce respectively through sea transport.
• The Indian Ports Act of 1908 is more than 110 years old.
• It has become essential that the act be updated to take into account:
  • The current frameworks
  • Include India’s international agreements
  • Address new environmental issues
  • Support the consultative growth of the ports industry for the benefit of the country

What Is the Need for Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022?

• To harmonise and update the laws related to ports.
• For the control of pollution at ports and its prevention.

  

• To make sure that the nation complies with its obligations under the marine treaties and other international agreements to which India is a party.
• Adopt actions to preserve ports.
• To enable and create State Maritime Boards for the efficient control, management, and administration of India’s non-major ports.
• Establish a national council to promote the planned expansion and development of the port industry and provide adjudicative tools for resolving port-related conflicts.

What Are the Primary Objectives of Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022?

• Promote integrated planning between States inter- 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 the burgeoning ports sector.
• Usher-in transparency and cooperation in the development and other aspects through the use of data.

What Are the Key Features of Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022?

• By removing pointless delays, resolving conflicts, and clarifying duties, the proposed bill will standardise and expedite the growth of the marine industry while also boosting the ease of doing business.
• The national framework will include State Maritime Boards.
• The Maritime State Development Council would guarantee cooperative federalism in which the federal, state, and territorial governments will collaborate to create a constructive road map for the nation.
• The Act’s redundant provisions have been eliminated or swapped out with current clauses.
• The existing penalties in the act which are outdated have been updated with respect to amounts and offences relevant to present-day scenario.

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