Even after the State legislative Assembly cleared the Odisha Maritime Board Bill-2011 three years ago, the Bill is still pending with the Union Government for approval and assent of the President.
Coastal States like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have established such Boards with the Union Government’s approval, but the Centre is yet to clear the Bill passed in the Odisha legislative Assembly on December 12, 2012.
Odisha has 480-km coastline and 14 proposed port locations. For managing and controlling minor ports, both existing and those in the process of construction, the Maritime Board is a statutory requirement.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has brought it to the notice of the State Government that the bill it is pending as a few clarifications are required. On the other side, senior officials in the Commerce and Transport Department say after examination of the Financial Services and Revenue Departments, it is pending with the Office of the Solicitor General of India for further clearance.
The State Government is requesting the Centre to clear the bill that intends to provide overall development of maritime activities in the State to its fullest extent by harnessing and exploiting the rich maritime potentiality.