UNION MINISTER SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA CHAIRS 18th MEETING OF THE MARITIME STATE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (MSDC)

Union Minister of State (I/C) for Port,

Shipping and Waterways Shri Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 18th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council

(MSDC) today through a video conference organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Addressing the council, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that the objective of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) is to develop a national plan for the development of the maritime sector beneficial for both states and the centre and to adopt best practices for the sector. He further said that the development of the country depends on the development of the states and MSDC is the best example of cooperative federalism. "In a scattered way we can't develop, united we can achieve", the Minister added. Stressing on the need for the 'Indian Port Bill 2021', the Minister requested state governments to see the Indian Port Bill as a development issue and not as a political issue. He highlighted that the ‘Indian Port Bill 2021’ will facilitate to have optimum management and utilization of the coastline by way of participation by both the Union Government and Maritime States/union Territories. He assured the states that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will welcome all the suggestions of the states to develop a comprehensive port bill. The Minister of MOPSW said, "The 18th Maritime State Development Council Meeting today has discussed very significant issues pertaining to the overall progress of the maritime sector. Our growth aspiration, as visioned by our Prime Minister, need collective actions in a time-bound manner and MSDC is an active platform to discuss these matters’’.