Inland Vessels Bill, 2021

Why in news?

• Union Cabinet recently approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021.

What are the Features of the Inland Vessels Bill?

• This will be a unified law for the entire country and will supplant the separate rules framed by the States.
• The certificate of registration granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories, and there will be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.
• As per the bill, a central database will be maintained that shall record each vessel’s details like its registration and crew, all on an electronic portal
• The vessels which are mechanically propelled will have to register themselves mandatorily as per the bill, and the non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to compulsorily register themselves at district, taluk or panchayat or village level
• It enlarges the definition of ‘inland waters’, by including tidal water limit and national waterways declared by the Central Government.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021:
1.As per the bill, vessels which are mechanically propelled will have to register themselves mandatorily.
2.It enlarges the definition of Inland waterways in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question