27-Jul-2021: Parliament passes landmark ‘Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021’ to repeal and replace the Lighthouse Act 1927
Parliament today passed the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021, which aims to replace over 90-year-old Lighthouse Act 1927, to incorporate the global best practices, technological developments and India's International obligations in the field of Marine Aids to Navigation, to fulfill the vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to make the legislative framework user-friendly and to promote ease of doing business. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal moved the bill in Rajya Sabha on 19.07.2021 and it was passed today. Now the bill will go to the President for his assent.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that this initiative is part of the proactive approach adopted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways by repealing colonial laws and replacing them with legislations catering to modern and contemporary needs of the maritime industry. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also added that the bill aims to adopt state-of-the-art technologies of marine navigation which were not covered under the statutory provisions of the old Lighthouse Act 1927.
Background:
The administration and management of Lighthouse and Lightships in India is governed by Lighthouse Act 1927 for safe navigation. At the time of enactment of Lighthouse Act 1927, there were only 32 Lighthouses in the then British India spread across six regions viz. Aden, Karachi, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Rangoon. Post-Independence, 17 Lighthouses came under the administrative control of India, which have now increased manifold to meet the growing needs of the shipping industry. Presently, there are 195 Lighthouses and number of advanced radio and digital aids to navigation administered under the said Act.
As the technology evolved, systems were put in place where with the help of Radar and other sensors, vessels were advised from shore about the position and thus Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) came into existence and found wide acceptability. These modern, technologically improved aids to marine navigation systems have changed their profile from a ‘passive’ service to that of ‘passive as well as interactive’ service.
Lighthouses have also been globally identified as a major tourist attraction due to scenic location, typical architecture and heritage value.
The need for enactment of a new Act is necessitated to provide an appropriate statutory framework which reflects the modern role of marine aids to navigation and to be in compliance with India’s obligations under International Conventions.
Benefits:
The new Act will facilitate harmonized and effective functioning of aids to marine navigation and Vessel Traffic Services along the Indian coastline. The benefits include:
- Improved Legal Framework for Matters related to Aids to Navigation & Vessel Traffic Services and covers the future developments in the field of Marine Navigation.
- Management of ‘Vessel Traffic Services’ for enhancing the safety and efficiency of shipping and to protect environment.
- Skill development through Training and Certification for the operators of ‘Aids to Navigation’ and ‘Vessel Traffic Services’ at par with International standards.
- Auditing and Accreditation of Institutes to cater to the need of Training and Certification at par with global standards.
- Marking of “Wreck” in general waters to identify sunken / stranded vessels for safe and efficient navigation.
- Development of Lighthouses for the purpose of education, culture and tourism, which would tap the tourism potential of coastal regions and contribute to their economy.
26-Jul-2021: Parliament passes the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021
Parliament has passed the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021. The Bill was unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha today, which was earlier cleared by the Rajya Sabha on 15th March this year.
Briefing the media after the passage of the Bill in Parliament, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras said this is a historic day as with the passing of this bill, our two educational institutes, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundali (Haryana) and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology(IIFPT)Tanjavur (Tamil Nadu) under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries became Institutions of National Importance (INI).
Shri Paras expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi and all the Members of Parliament and senior officials of the Ministry for this landmark step, which will provide these Institutes Greater Autonomy, so that they can start new and innovative courses, as well as help them to attract excellent faculty and students. He said, Global standards can also be adopted in academic and research work.
The Minister said, these institutes will have curricular provision related to food processing areas e.g. cold chain technology, food bio nanotechnology which can help in filling the technological gap. He said, now they can open new centres anywhere in the country and abroad. Along with this, giving them the status of Institute of National Importance (INI) will also pave the way for the creation of skilled manpower.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of NIFTEM, Dr Chindi Vasudevappa said that hereafter all efforts will be made to upgrade infrastructure, Human Resources and lab facilities at par with IITs and IIMs. He said, our students can be trained internationally in Food Science and Technology, being the only stand-alone University.
26-Jul-2021: Reforms in The Mining Sector
Ministry of Mines has amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021 which has been notified on 28.03.2021 for giving boost to mineral production, improving ease of doing business in the country and increasing contribution of mineral production to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Some of the major reform brought in this Amendment Act, 2021 are as under:
Removed the distinction between captive and merchant mines. It allows all captive mines to sell upto 50% of the minerals produced during the year after meeting the requirement of attached plant subject to the payment of additional amount as prescribed under sixth schedule of the MMDR Act. Further, all future auctions will be without any end use restrictions.
Resolved all pending cases under section 10A(2) (b) of the Act.
Statutory clearances to be valid even after expiry or termination of mining lease and shall be transferred to the successful bidder in the auction.
To ensure ease of doing business, restriction on transfer of mineral concessions are removed and now mineral concession can be transferred without any transfer charge.
Additional amount has to be paid by government companies on grant of new lease or extension of lease which will ensure additional revenue to State Government.
Central Government is empowered to conduct auction in cases where the States face challenges in conduct of auction or fail to conduct auction within prescribed time fixed in consultation with State Government. The revenue from auctions will accrue to State Government.
Empowered the Central Government to issue directions regarding composition and utilization of funds under DMF. Direction to include the MPs/MLs and MLCs in the Governing Council was issued on 23.04.2021.
Simplification of exploration regime - (i) Mineral Blocks for Composite Licence can be auctioned at G4 level of exploration instead of G3 level as per the earlier standard. (ii) Mineral Block for surfacial mineral can be auctioned for grant of Mining Lease at G3 level instead of G2 level. (iii) Private entities may be notified under Section 4(1) of the MMDR Act for conducting exploration.