The Union Cabinet has approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021.
Indian Vessels Bill, 2021:
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Indian Vessels Bill will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917. The bill aims to regulate the safety, security and registration of inland vessels.
Key Features of the Indian Vessels Bill, 2021:
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Unified Law:
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The Bill provides for a unified law for the entire country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
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This means that the certificate of registration granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories.
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Moreover, there will also be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.
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Central Database of Vessels:
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The Bill provides for a central database for recording the details of the vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal.
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Mandatory registration of Vessels:
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The bill requires all mechanically propelled vessels to be mandatorily registered.
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On the other hand, all non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to be enrolled at the district, taluk or panchayat or village level.
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