Shipping Ministry renamed Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways

The Centre has renamed the Shipping Ministry because the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement to this impact.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, maritime transport and navigation, provision of training and coaching for the mercantile marine, lighthouses and lightships, administration of the ports, transport and navigation — together with carriage of passengers, and items on inland and nationwide waterways — can be below it.

The notification, signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, mentioned the choice had been taken by exercising of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution and by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.

“In THE FIRST SCHEDULE,- (i) after the heading “26. Ministry of Planning (Yojana Mantralaya)”, the next heading shall be inserted, particularly:- “26A. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (’Pattan, Pot Parivahan aur Jalmarg Mantralaya’)“; (ii) the heading “32. Ministry of Shipping (’Pot Parivahan Mantralaya’)” shall be omitted,” it mentioned.

Other topics that may come below the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways embody shipbuilding and ship-repair business, ship-breaking, fishing vessels business, floating craft business amongst others.

Various autonomous our bodies just like the Port Trusts in Mumbai, Kolkata and others, the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Shipping Corporation of India will even come below the ministry.

Mr. Modi had mentioned on Sunday that the Shipping Ministry was being expanded and renamed because the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

“In developed economies, in most places, the Shipping Ministry also takes care of ports and waterways. In India, the shipping ministry does a lot of work related to ports and waterways. Clarity in name will also bring about clarity in work,” the prime minister had mentioned.