T R Baalu introduces three Bill together for discussion

New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today took up three bills altogether -- two separate Bills on Waters Ways and one on Indian Maritime University Bill 2008-- for simultaneous discussion and passing them.

All the three Bills were moved by Shipping and Transport Minister T R Baalu and all members present in the House agreed for simultaneous discussion as per their choice.

The first Bill relates to declaring of Talcher-Dharma stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dharma rivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast canal, and Charbatia-Dharma stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi Delta rivers in West Bengal and Orissa as a national waterway.

The second Bill pertains to declaring Kakinada-Puducherry stretch of canals and the Kaluvelly tank, Bhadrachalan-Rajamundry stretch of Godavari river and Waziarabad-Vijayawada stretch of Krishna river as national waterways.

While Indian Maritime University Bill 2008 related to setting up of the first Maritime University at Chennai with multiple campuses at Mumbai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatanam.

The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Introducing the Maritime University Bill, the Minister said the objective of the University is to upgrade the country's training capacity and capabilities India is the 20th largest maritime country in the world. It is also aimed at standardising maritime education and upgrading it to meet future growth opportunities.

Initiating the debate, Mr Balwant Apte of BJP said that Maritime Bill has 50 sections and 46 statutes and is suffering from multiple regulations.

Mr Apte demanded to do away with multiple regulations.

He said there is no need for setting up 50 institutes at different locations, instead five will be enough for the purpose.

BJP member suggested that one apex regulation will be enough to run these institutions and no new statutes are required.

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