Act Number: 24

Act Name: The Inland Vessels Act, 2021

Year: 2021

Enactment Date: 2021-08-11

Long Title: An Act to promote economical and safe transportation and trade through inland waters, to bring uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country, to provide for safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, and prevention of pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland vessels, to ensure transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation, to strengthen procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey, registration, manning, navigation and such other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Department:

Section 86: Constitution of Development Fund.
    (1)There shall be a Fund constituted by the State Government to be called the Development Fund, to be utilised for—
        (a) meeting emergency preparedness;
        (b) meeting containment of pollution caused by discharge of oil, mixtures, obnoxious substances, chemicals and other noxious and harmful substances, to preserve and protect inland waters;
        (c) supporting, part or whole of expenses of owners or economically backward sector involved in activities of trade and living depending solely on inland waters;
        (d) removal of unidentified wreck or obstruction affecting and impeding navigation; and
        (e) boosting up development works of inland water navigation with respect to safety and convenience of conveyance.
    (2) For the purposes of constitution of the Development Fund under sub-section (1), endeavour shall be made to design schemes of contribution from—
        (a) the State Government;
        (b) stake holders;
        (c) the amount collected from sale of wreck or cargo or remains thereof after deducting the expenses incurred;
        (d) excess fund out of judicial sale of vessels or any property or cargo after meeting the expenses incurred or set-off against the court to meet damages or functioning of the court or administrative machinery; and
        (e) part or proportionate disbursement of fees collected by the respective State Government as provided in this Chapter.
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