Q. Which of the following is not true regarding inland Vessels Bill, 2021-
- To operate in the inland waterways, vessels will need a survey certificate.
- The new law will replace the century-old Inland Vessels Act of 1917.
Which of the above statement / s is / are not true ?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 & 2
d) None of These
ANSWER:- c)
RELATED FACTS:-
- The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 that was passed by Lok Sabha on July 21, 2021 will help domestic cargo movement with potentially lower rates, which is expected to help small businesses.
- The proposed law is in line with the government’s aim to develop inland ports and harness India’s 7,500km coastline and potentially navigable waterways.
- The government expects its programme to create 1 crore new jobs, including direct employment of 40 lakh people, in the next 10 years, reduce logistics costs and speed up cargo movement.
- The new law will replace the century-old Inland Vessels Act of 1917 for the regulation of security, safety as well as registration of inland vessels.
- The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021 seeks to replace separate rules framed by states with a uniform regulatory framework for inland vessel navigation to support countrywide operation of registered boats, ships, container vessels, sailing vessels and ferries.
- However, to operate in the inland waterways, vessels will need a survey certificate, which will be issued by states.
- With the new law, the centre will prescribe the minimum number of people that vessels must have, for various roles.
- Violation of these requirements may attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000 for the first offence and Rs 25,000 for subsequent offences.
- The centre will also prescribe standards for qualification for the crew as well as training, examination and grant of certificate of competency, which indicate the fitness of the recipients to serve in the specified roles.
- The certificates will be granted by the state governments.
- The bill will ensure that vessels follow specifications for signals and equipment to ensure navigation safety including ones pertaining to responding to distress signals.
By – ABHISHEK KUMAR