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Title: Need to review the notification issued by the Kolkata Port Trust extending the limits of port of Kolkata.
SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI (BHADRAK): Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your kind attention to the Notification issued by the Kolkata Port Trust vide Notification No. 493 dated 10.11.2010. The Port of Kolkata has revised the port limits. The Ministry of Shipping has approved such revision vide S.O. No.2609 E dated 22.10.10. This is certainly unprecedented and also uncalled for because unilaterally the Port Trust of Kolkata has extended its jurisdiction beyond their power to do it. Unfortunately, the Central Government, the UPA Government at the Centre, the Ministry of Shipping has approved it. This is no doubt, as I have said earlier, unprecedented.
Madam, we are living in a federal system of Government, whatever decision is taken the respective State Governments generally are being consulted. In this particular case they have not consulted and they have unilaterally extended their jurisdiction beyond their limit. The esteemed Chief Minister of Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik, has also met the hon. Minister of Shipping. The hon. Minister of Shipping, Shri Wasan, has assured that within certain time he will convene the meeting between the two, but the meeting has not yet been convened.
I would request you, Madam, to direct the Ministry of Shipping to sit together and before extending the jurisdiction of this particular Port Trust they should consult the concerned State Government. Unless that is done, it will certainly go against the autonomy of the State. So, I would once again request you, Madam, to direct the Ministry of Shipping to convene a meeting so that by having consultations they can arrive at a decision which will not harm the interest of the State of Orissa. This is my request to you, Madam. Thank you.
DR. PRASANNA KUMAR PATASANI (BHUBANESWAR): Madam, I would like to associate with this.
MADAM SPEAKER: All right. Please send your name to the Table.