Kerala has disbanded the Kerala Maritime Board with immediate effect, citing persistent administrative lapses, financial irregularities, failure to perform statutory duties and non-compliance with government directions. The Department of Fisheries and Ports issued the notification on July 6, invoking powers under the Kerala Maritime Board Act, 2017.
Annual Reports Not Submitted
The notification said the board failed to submit its Annual Administration Reports for 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25, which was treated as a serious breach of its responsibilities. It also noted that the body had repeatedly failed to discharge the functions assigned to it under law.
CAG Audit Raised Concerns
The decision was also linked to findings in the Comptroller and Auditor General audit on the state finances for the year ending March 31, 2023. The audit reportedly flagged revenue arrears from ports, underutilisation of budget allocations, poor use of project funds, expenditure without budget provision and diversion of sanctioned funds.
Non-Major Ports Under State Control
The Kerala Maritime Board was created to oversee the state’s non-major ports and was formed under the Kerala Maritime Board Act, 2017. With the board now dissolved, the state is expected to rework the administrative structure for port governance and oversight.
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