New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Bills of Lading Bill 2024 by a voice vote, which seeks to replace the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 and provides a legal framework for issuance of bills of lading.
The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August nine, 2024.
Replying, to the debate, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the changes have been brought in keeping with the principle ‘reform, perform and transform’.
He noted that the law being replaced is a 168-year-old law.
"We have created this Bill after extensive consultation with stakeholders and legal experts," he said.
The Minister asserted that it would empower stakeholders to deal with issues in the future.
Addressing the criticism of the members pertaining to the Bill, he said that the Bill deals with the specific rights and liabilities emanating from a transfer of bill of lading to a consignee, noting that it is not a contract but the evidence of a contract, thus it is a legal document.
Sonowal said that the Bill is in keeping with Narendra Modi’s transformative vision.
He concluded his speech expressing confidence that India would become self-sufficient by 2047 and become one of the top developed nations in the world.
Earlier, speaking on the bill, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said that not all Opposition members are objecting to the Bills of Lading Bill, as they understand that it is not a policy change. She asked as to how to the Bill would make the shipping process more transparent.
She said that drug inflow should be stopped and asked what this Bill is doing for that.
She requested the government to take their feedback and strengthen the Bill.
"I hope no Indian gets compromised in the future in the international game," she added and hoped that the Centre would take ownership and lead from the front for Indian fishermen who are helping maritime commerce.
The Bills of Lading Bill 2024 refers to a document issued by a freight carrier to a shipper. It contains details such as the type, quantity, condition and destination of goods being carried.
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