Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal is set to introduce The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha today. The bill aims to consolidate existing laws on ports, foster integrated port development, promote ease of doing business, and optimize India’s coastline. It will also empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports (excluding major ports) and establish the Maritime State Development Council to guide the growth of the port sector.
Key provisions include:
- Addressing pollution management, disaster handling, emergency protocols, security, safety, navigation, and data management at ports.
- Ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations related to ports.
In addition, Sonowal will introduce The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, which outlines the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of carriers transporting goods by sea.
Other Legislative Business
Apart from the bills, several key statements and reports are set to be laid before the House, including:
- Standing Committees Reports on Labour, Textiles, Skill Development, Water Resources, Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, and Industry.
- Chandan Chauhan and Smita Uday Wagh will present the report on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
- Varsha Gaikwad and Sumathy Alias Tamizhachi Thangapandian will lay the report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) for the Women and Child Development ministry.
Additionally, Union Minister Manohar Lal is expected to make a statement regarding the withdrawal from the Contingency Fund of India for the new scheme Deendayal Jan Aajeevika Yojana (Shehari).
Private Members’ Resolutions
The private members’ resolutions scheduled for discussion cover a range of critical issues:
- Shafi Prambil will move a resolution on regulating airfares, aiming to establish a quasi-judicial body to oversee airfares and ensure reasonable pricing on specific routes.
- E T Mohammed Basheer will introduce a resolution addressing drug abuse, highlighting the growing public health threat posed by it.
- Parshottambhai Rupala will propose measures to establish Jan Kitnasak Kendras to provide farmers with affordable pesticides.
- Kodikunnil Suresh will move a resolution concerning the delimitation process, urging measures to ensure that it protects the democratic rights of all states, particularly in the southern states.