Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed

GUWAHATI, Sept 3 - The Assam Legislative Assembly today passed the Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

As per the amendment in Section 59 of the Act, the State government shall determine the tariffs for passenger vessels or cargo vessels keeping in mind the market conditions, operating cost levels, affordability of passengers in different manner considering the per-capita income of people of the State.

Moreover, another amendment was effected in Section 58 of the Act through which regulatory authority may delegate powers to its members and issue executive instruction not inconsistent with the provision of this Act, rules or regulations as may be considered necessary.

Placing the Bill in the Assembly, Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that not having a specific rule to determine the tariff of machine-operated country boat was a serious problem faced by a large section of people in the districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Lakhimpur, Majuli, etc.

Meanwhile, Patowary also appealed to all MLAs to create awareness among the country boat operators in their respective constituencies to avail the benefit of �Jibon Dinga� scheme. Under the scheme, the State government is providing modern boat engine at 70 per cent subsidies rate. The Minister said implementation of the scheme is very important to minimize the boat mishap cases in Assam.

Patowary further said that the IWT department will also provide life jackets to every passenger vessel as per the passenger-carrying capacity of the vessel. Like flight, in passenger vessel too, a demonstration on use of life jacket will become mandatory soon, he added.