Taking a cue from the states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the Orissa government has set in motion the process for setting up a Maritime Development Board (MDB) for the development of minor ports in Orissa.
The Board will plan, direct, implement the maritime development plan in the state and will ensure coastal security, in the changed scenario.
It will evolve an integrated ‘Maritime Master Plan’ in consultation with the experts and will be mandated to adopt an integrated approach covering port and infrastructural development. Besides, the board will strive to attract private investments in ports and inland waterways.
The draft Orissa Maritime Development Board Bill, 2009, prepared by the state commerce and transport (C&T) department has been approved by the law department with certain modifications. The suggested changes have been incorporated into the draft which will be sent to the finance department for vetting soon, sources said.
The proposed board will have a chairman, a vice-chairman and other members not exceeding 12 and not less than 9. Seven members will be appointed by the government by virtue of their post and the board will have the senior most officer of Coast Guard based in Orissa, as member.
It will have one representative from the department in charge of the administration of minor ports in the state, and representatives from industries, water resources, finance, forest and environment and law departments.
More From This Section
The secretary, commerce and transport (C&T) department will be the chairman of the board and the director, ports and inland water transport, government of Orissa, will be the member secretary. An officer of the C&T department not below the rank of Joint Secretary will be appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the board.
From the day of the notification of the board, all property, assets, funds and rights to levy rate vested with the government will be vested in the board. Sources said, the board will prepare a blue print for the maritime development of the state, including the development of inland waterways. For such work, the board may institute studies and surveys as required.
The proposed board will have power to undertake services like stevedoring, landing, shipping or transshipping passengers and goods between the vessels in the port, wharves, piers, quays or docks belonging to or in possession of the board.
Different scales of rates and conditions may be framed for different classes of goods, vessels and ports. It is free to prescribe a lower rate for the coastal goods carried from one Indian port to another. However, the state government, in the public interest ,can modify or cancel the rate fixed by the board.
Importantly, the board will be allowed to raise loans with the prior approval of the state government on terms and conditions formulated by the government.