Bills of Landing Bills 2024 passed in Lok Sabha  to boost commercial activities in maritime sector. It will replace the Indian Bills of Lading Act,___________.

The Correct Answer is 1856.

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• Bills of Landing Bills 2024 passed in LS to boost commercial activities in maritime sector.

Key Points

• Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, introduced the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, aimed at modernizing and simplifying the legal framework for shipping documents.
• The bill will replace the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, providing a more modern and user-friendly approach to maritime shipping.
• A bill of lading is a document issued by a freight carrier containing details about the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being carried. The Act states that a bill of lading is conclusive evidence of goods being on board.
• The new legislation retains all provisions under the Act and adds that the Central Government may issue directions for carrying out the provisions of the Bill.
• The updated law aims to simplify the language, reorganize provisions, and align the law with international standards.
• The Bill is expected to bring benefits like streamlined business processes, reduced litigation risks, and improved clarity for all stakeholders (carriers, shippers, and lawful holders of goods).
• This legislation is part of a broader initiative to modernize India’s maritime laws and enhance the country's competitiveness in international shipping.