December 10, 2024
Sougata Ray opposes the introduction of The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
Under Rule 72 (1) of the Rules of Procedure, I beg to oppose the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India’s obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. In this House, I have earlier opposed all the attempts made by the Government to bureaucratise the system. Sir, just one moment. I have not even spoken. Always the Central Government is setting up newer and newer authorities, imposing newer and newer regulations. It will be handing over power to the bureaucracy. The Mercantile marine develops of its own because we have a long coastline and we have a lot of trade with other countries. But what they are doing is that they will have a National Shipping Board, National Seafarer’s Welfare Board and also a Director-General of Mercantile Shipping. Hon. Chairperson, Sir, let me complete my sentence. Please do not cut me short midway. Sir, that is why, I think, this will be hindering and not helping the development of merchant shipping nor will it improve the conditions of work of seafarers, and it will merely put impediment to the development of the mercantile shipping as well.
