State to incorporate ISPS in the State Maritime Board clause

Bhubaneswar: The state government today decided to incorporate International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) code in the provision of the State Maritime Board, official sources said.

The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here. "While ISPS is implemented in all ports across the world, it has not been in the State Maritime Board. Therefore, the cabinet approved a proposal in this regard," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said.

Stating that ISPS was essential in security point of view, Patnaik said provision was there in the Merchant Shipping Board, 1958. The central government had suggested to incorporate the ISPS in the State Maritime Board, he said.

This apart, the cabinet also approved another proposal to disqualify any member of the State Maritime Board if s/he fails to attend three consecutive meetings. Earlier provision was to disqualify a member of s/he does not attend meeting for six consecutive times.

The cabinet also approved another proposal to amend Local Fund Audit Fund Act as per the suggestion of the 13th Finance Commission.

Though the 13th FC has recommended Rs 3,500 crore for urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions, the state has to make certain amendments to avail Rs 1,250 crore as performance grant, said finance secretary J K Mohapatra.

According to the reforms, accounts of ULBs and PRIs would be audited with technical guidance and support of CAG and their reports to be tabled in assembly.