JOIN USThe Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Karnataka Maritime Board Bill, 2015, that proposes to constitute an exclusive panel to undertake various developmental projects and maintenance activities in relation to ports, harbours, inland waterways and coastal protection.
The bill was passed without any discussion amid a dharna by BJP members in the well of the House. The BJP members were protesting in support of their demand that Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya tender his resignation following the charge against his wife that she was accepting bribe from contractors for supplying food to hostels.
The bill proposes the setting up of a 16-member Karnataka Maritime Board headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary. The Board, among others, will plan and frame guidelines for the port sector in the State. It will also have the powers to regulate and control navigation within the limits of the port and also exercise licensing and regulatory functions with regard to port infrastructure and services.
At present, ports are managed by the PWD through the Director of Ports and Inland Water Transport. Karnataka has a coastline of about 300 km which is dotted by a major port at New Mangaluru besides 10 non-major ports including those at Karwar, Malpe, Tadri and Old Mangaluru.
Other functions of the board include carrying out flood relief works during natural calamities, undertake tourism development, improvement of beaches, maintain fisheries harbour and prevent sea erosion. The board will also have powers to raise finance from the market directly for undertaking developmental activities and develop ports.