The bill classifies certain ports as large ports; the Maritime Development Commission introduced in LS
New Delhi, March 28 (PTI), a bill aimed at classifying certain ports as “large ports” has established the National Development Commission at Maritime and introduced a bill to effectively adopt international obligations in Lok Sabha on Friday.
The Indian Port Act 2025 was proposed by Transport Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the House of Commons and would repeal the Indian Port Act of 117 in 1908.
The bill’s object and reason statement said: “The proposed legislation aims to effectively adopt international obligations, allow sufficient power to frame subordinate legislation and keep our domestic priorities in mind.”
It further aims to integrate the development of the ports in order to utilize India’s coastline in a coherent and sustainable way.
The bill provides that when the port meets the standards the government will establish, a major port or major port outside the main port will be classified as “large ports” by notification.
The bill proposes the establishment of the National Maritime Development Commission (MSDC) by the central government, which will make various recommendations, including an effective and beneficial framework for Indian ports; measures for the growth of the port sector and promote competition and efficiency in port operations; and to play other functions.
It also requires the central government to clean up in advance when a significant change in ownership or effective control is taking place in the port.
The bill provides for the establishment of a new adjudication mechanism that requires each state government to constitute a dispute resolution committee to rule on any dispute arising between ports outside the main ports, concessions, port users, port users and port service providers, and prohibits the jurisdiction of the courts to make any matter in any matter recreating any matter in any matter to identify future competitors to determine the empore empore equalive empore expoleder empore.
In terms of safety and protection of ports, the bill also proposes to increase the power of protectors who effectively supervise ports.
It seeks to “provision simultaneous and dynamic legislation to meet India’s requirements as an emerging economy”.
K Radhakrishnan (CPI-M) opposed the bill, saying it had encroached on the power of the state government as it attempted to concentrate control over the port.
Sougata Ray (TMC) said the Indian Port Act was enacted in 1908 when all ports were in the center. Recently, many private ports have emerged, and some of the government ports have been leased to private companies.
“The current legislation does not appear to be sufficient to control private ports,” he said.
Ray said the new ruling body proposed in the bill could deprive workers of their rights.
