New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Lok Sabha has passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, which seeks to replace the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
The legislation provides for the responsibilities, liabilities, rights and immunities attached to carriers with respect to the carriage of goods by sea.
The Bill empowers the central government to issue directions for carrying out provisions of the Bill and amend the schedule specifying rules applicable to bills of lading.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the purpose of the bill is to position India’s maritime trade practices at par with global standard.
He also said that by fostering greater transparency, simplicity and commercial efficiency, the legislation will significantly enhance the functioning of the country’s maritime transport system.
"The main objective of the bill is to simplify the language of the provision for the ease of understanding to the extent possible without changing the spirit of the Act" he added.
"This new legislation is a part of the greater initiative of the government to rid ourselves of all vestiges of the colonial mindset and ensure ease of understanding and ease of doing business through simple and rationalised law," Sonowal said
Earlier initiating the discussion, Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth of Congress said that the bill is significant as it aims to align India’s maritime law with the international standard and addresses the responsibilities, liabilities, rights and immunities related to the carriage of goods by sea.
He said the modernisation of the law is necessary to keep pace with global trade dynamics. He also raised the issue of a lack of adequate protection for shippers and consignee.
Krishna Prasad Tenneti of TDP supported the bill and said that the legislation aims at amending age old rules and is an attempt to align Indian regulations with international standards and ease operations.
"While modernisation of legislation is necessary to keep pace with global trade dynamics, there are several concerns that need to be addressed before this Bill can be passed," he said.
Vasanth called for better protection for shippers and consignees and pointed out that the Bill does not adequately address risks related to discrepancies in weight declarations.
Nishikant Dubey of the BJP thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking steps to scrap outdated laws.
He said the bill will repeal the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 and, there is a provision in the bill that the Central government has the power to resolve the issue related to minor and major ports.
Besides, other members, including Pratima Mondal of TMC, Supriya Sule of NCP (SP) and Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), participated in the discussion.
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule emphasised the need to safeguard the interests of fishermen and farmers, particularly those affected by the development of the Vadhavan Port. UNI JA XC SSP