The Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which was passed by the Assembly on Monday, would bring in a noticeable change in the maritime development of the State, said Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil. Replying to the discussion on the Bill ratified by the Subject Committee, Mr. Devarkovil said that though the neighbouring coastal States had made big strides in coastal shipping and transshipment over the past few years, the State lagged in many respects due to the inadequacies in the administration of maritime board formed in 2017 in the State.
As per the amendments, the headquarters of the board will be shifted to Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi where a regional office would be maintained. The existing Act had not allowed the posting of an officer below the rank of principal secretary to the post of vice chairman. The new amendment will allow the State to appoint a secretary-level officer to the post. Further, as per the Act, the State government cannot issue a directive to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the port, while the new amendment will allow the State to issue directives to the CEO.
