Odisha objects provisions in Indian Ports Bill, 2021

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Tuesday objects certain provisions in the draft Indian Ports Bill-2021 proposed by the Centre apprehending that the new legislation may dilute powers already vested with the states on management of non-major ports.
State commerce and transport minister Padmanabha Behera wrote a letter in this regard to Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways (PSW) Mansukh Mandaviya. Behera seeks modification in the draft bill and proper deliberations to address the concern of the coastal states.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin had written to nine chief ministers including Odisha to oppose the ports bills and to take joint action.
As the authority to make regulations for non-major ports for most subjects is the state maritime boards or state governments of coastal states at present, the Centre seeks to appropriate the authority of the state through Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) with the proposed bill, said official sources.
“We object to this proposed appropriation of state authority by the Union government. The proposed provision, instead of making India a strong maritime nation, will stunt the growth of port-led development in the nation through its centralization of authority,” said Behera.
The commerce and transport minister said the proposal in the bill is against the very spirit of cooperative federalism and empowerment of states.
Behera said the MSDC has been in existence as a notified advisory body since 1997, focussing on integrated planning and development of ports and inland waterways.
“The draft bill proposes to give it a statutory status. While we welcome this step, MSDC should only comprise of ministers of coastal states and union minister for PSW similar to that of GST council. The concerned officials of the Union government and coastal state governments may be made invitees to the MSDC,” said Behera.
Stating that the draft bill mandates centralization of many routine functions to MSDC like conducting inquiry, deciding tariff stature, which will be very limiting and less efficient, the commerce and transport minister said MSDC’s role should continue to be recommendatory and advisory body as before.
Behera said important bills are not hastened and proper deliberations are done with stake-holding states to bring in more effectiveness.
The state government is in the process of constituting the Odisha State Maritime Board. The bill, which was passed in the state assembly in last February, is now awaiting assent of the President of India. Stating that there is no provision in the draft bill to include a state maritime board, Behera demanded a provision is required to be made for the same.
The state government, however, welcomed provisions relating to safety and security of ports, prevention and containment of pollution of ports, compliances with the country’s obligation in the national interest.
While Paradip port is a major port, Odisha has two non-major ports at Dhamra and Gopalpur. The state government has identified 14 potential locations for development of non-major ports.
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