Orissa govt slams new Port Bill, urges coastal states to oppose it

Bhubaneshwar: Objecting to the Centre's new proposal that gives it jurisdiction over state-developed ports, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged nine coastal states and a Union Territory to jointly oppose the move.

Mr Patnaik, in a letter sent to the respective Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governor, has said that the new provisions in the Indian Port Bill, 2011 would encroach upon the rights of states in determining boundaries of ports developed by them as well as in port management and functioning.

"The proposed Bill will hinder port development in the coastal states. Besides, the Centre will have authority over the land and water near major ports," Mr Patnaik said in the letters.

The Chief Minister has contended that there is no provision for seeking views of states concerned before the Ministry of Shipping fixed the jurisdiction of any major port.

Rejecting the provision of appointing an arbitrator to resolve any dispute over the limits of ports, Mr Patnaik has demanded that either courts or any independent body should examine the dispute instead of any centrally-appointed arbitrator.

Advertisement

The ministry mooted the idea of bringing a new Bill to replace old laws under Indian Ports Act, 1908 and Major Port Trust Act, 1963.

(With PTI inputs)

Advertisement