Did Lok Sabha Pass the Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill Amid Opposition Protests?

New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) During a tumultuous session on Wednesday, the Lok Sabha successfully passed the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2024, via a voice vote, in the face of ongoing protests and interruptions from Opposition members who were calling for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.

The session, which resumed after an adjournment at 2 p.m. under the leadership of Sandhya Rai, quickly spiraled into disorder as Opposition MPs vociferously raised slogans, disrupting the legislative process.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal formally introduced the Bill, designed to revamp the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 and bring India’s maritime laws in line with international agreements such as MARPOL and the Wreck Removal Convention.

This legislation broadens the definition of vessels to encompass mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts, while also instituting provisions for the temporary registration of vessels intended for recycling, which aims to stimulate operations at recycling hubs like Alang.

In spite of the chaos, BJP MPs Brajesh Chowta (Dakshina Kannada) and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal (Surat) voiced their support for the Bill, although their comments were largely drowned out by the uproar. Additionally, the Bill empowers the Director-General of Marine Administration to oversee maritime education and training, ensuring Indian seafarers adhere to global standards.

In response to the Opposition's requests for a debate on the Bihar voter list revision, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government's willingness to discuss any topic within the framework of Constitutional provisions and Parliamentary rules.

He referenced Rule 325, which restricts discussions on matters currently before a court, and reminded members of a ruling from 1988 by then Speaker Balram Jakhar, stating that the Election Commission’s actions are off-limits for parliamentary debate due to its autonomous nature.

“The House cannot discuss the actions of a higher Constitutional authority,” Rijiju emphasized, encouraging Opposition members to honor Parliamentary norms and facilitate the House's operations.

“Do you intend to violate the rules established by this House? Do you wish to disregard the decisions of past Speakers?” he asked pointedly.

After the Bill's passage, the session was adjourned until Thursday, leaving numerous legislative matters unresolved.

The ongoing Monsoon Session has already experienced multiple adjournments and is characterized by procedural impasses and political strife.

Nonetheless, the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 signifies a crucial advancement in modernizing India’s maritime sector, promising improved safety, sustainability, and competitiveness in global shipping markets.