Bill of Lading: Seal of Transport Bill, Bill to replace 1856 law of British era
New Delhi| The Bill of Lading Bill related to increasing trade and commercial activities in the shipping sector got the approval of the Lok Sabha. The bill would replace the Carrying Letters Law of the year 1856. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal claimed that due to the provisions included in the bill, it will lead to revolutionary changes in the field of shipping in future.
The logic of legislative think-tanks
According to legislative think-tank PRS Legislative, a bill of lading is a document that is issued to the shipper on behalf of the carrier. It contains details such as the type, quantity, condition and destination of the goods being carried. Responding to the discussion on the bill, Sonowal said that shipping is very important for economic prosperity.
Due to the age-old British law related to this, it was difficult to prepare a roadmap for rapid development in this area. Modi government understands the importance of shipping sector for building a developed India. This is the reason why this bill has been brought to bring necessary changes in it as per the time. He said that being an independent democratic modern country and the fastest growing economy, it is important that our identity is reflected in our laws and there is no colonial mentality, this bill is the government’s effort in this direction.
To progress, the number of ships will have to be increased
Lakshadweep Congress MP Mohd. Hamidullah Saeed stressed on increasing the number of ships for further progress and progress in this area. He said that Cochin Shipyard Limited, Shipping Corporation of India and Lakshadweep Administration should coordinate and focus on ease of doing business and ease of transportation of people in the Union Territory. BJP’s Vibhu Prasad Terai praised the government for bringing a bill to simplify rules in the shipping sector.
However, some opposition MPs called it against cooperative federalism. TMC’s Pratima Mandal alleged that this bill is going to protect the interests of big businessmen instead of small businessmen. He criticized the bill for not regulating freight charges.
