(a) whether the `Pinto Committee` constituted to work out a New Navigation Policy has submitted its report;
(b) if so, the details of the major recommendations made therein;
(c) whether the Government have taken any decision on these suggestions;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken?
MINISTER OF SURFACE TRANSPORT (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.204 FOR ANSWER ON 07-08-2000 ASKED BY SHRI RAJO SINGH, M.P. REGARDING PINTO COMMITTEE ON NEW NAVIGATION POLICY.
(a) & (b): Presumably, the question refers to the National Shipping Policy Committee constituted by the Government in March,1997. The said Committee submitted its report to Government in July, 1997 and made 31 recommendations in all. The major recommendations are as under:
(i) Shipping be recognised as an export industry and receive all the fiscal and financial benefits available to other export industries.
(ii) Shipping Industry should be eligible for the depreciation at the same rate as applicable to other modes of transport viz. Trucks, car, aircraft etc.
(iii) Section 33 AC of the Income Tax Act should be restored in its original form.
(iv) Any period spent by Seafarers serving on any Indian ship should be treated as time spent serving overseas for Income Tax purpose.
(v) LNG and LPG Carriage should be reserved for Indian Flag Ships.
(vi) Coastal Shipping be declared as an infrastructure industry.
(c) to (e) An Empowered Committee set up by the Government examined the
recommendations and recommended acceptance of 26 recommendations out of the total of 31. Out of these, 15 recommendations have been accepted by the Government and acted upon. Decisions on the remaining 11 recommendations will be taken as soon as inter-Ministerial consultations in this regard are completed.