State of Assam - Act
The Control and Management of Ferries Rules, 1968
ASSAM
India
India
The Control and Management of Ferries Rules, 1968
Rule THE-CONTROL-AND-MANAGEMENT-OF-FERRIES-RULES-1968 of 1968
- Published on 1 April 1968
- Commenced on 1 April 1968
- [This is the version of this document from 1 April 1968.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
1.
2.
In these rules unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context-Part I
(A)For the control and management of and for the regulating the traffic at all the ferries3.
All ferries shall be under the control of the Executive Engineer, Inland Water Transport; provided that if he shall see fit and necessary he may make over the control of any ferry to any Sub-divisional Officer of the Inland Water Transport in-charge of the Sub-division.4.
5.
For each ferry suitable steamer/motor driven ferry vessel/ engined marboats/ engined single boats/ marboats/ single boat, as the case may be, are supplied at the expense of the Inland Water Transport. The lessee shall be responsible as bailee for steamer/ motor driven ferry vessel/ marboats/ engined single boats/ single boats and shall on the expiry or earlier termination of his lease return them to the Executive Engineer/ Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, in good condition, allowance being made for fair wear and tear.6.
The Executive Engineer/ Sub-divisional Officer shall see that all marboats and single boats are marked with a free board line. This line shall be of a breadth of not less than two inches and run round the boats from stem to stem at 12 inches distance below the level of the gunwale. The steamer/motor driven ferry vessel shall be marked as per survey certificate.7.
The lessee shall not sublet, encumber or transfer in any other way the ferry leased to him.8.
9.
The lessee shall have in his possession and shall affix on a board where it may be read by all passengers, a schedule showing the rates which he is allowed to charge, and the number of persons, animals and vehicles and weight of other things which he is permitted to carry over at one time and copy of Part I of these rules in English and in Assamese; provided that nothing contained in this rule shall be construed as preventing the Government in the transport department during the continuance of the lease from including new items not covered by the existing schedule of tolls under Section 15 of the Act at such rates as may be considered reasonable.10.
The lessee shall not carry over at one time in the steamer/motor driven ferry vessel/engined marboat/engined single boat/marboat/single boat more than the number of persons, animals, vehicles or things specified in his lease or when a survey certificate is issued subsequently during the tenure of the lease which modified such number, the numbers specified in the survey certificates as permitted to be so carried and notwithstanding tender of the fare, he shall not allow any person in excess of such number to enter upon the said vessel/boats etc. Any person forcing his way on board the steamer/motor driven ferry vessel/engined marboat/engined single boat/marboat/single boat in spite of lessee's/ferry man's warning or continuing on board after being required to land is punishable under Section 25 of the Act with a fine which may extend to fifty rupees.11.
The lessee at his own expense shall provide a shed 15 feet long by 15 feet broad on each side of the ferry for temporary accommodation of persons wishing to cross.12.
A register in the form prescribed by the D.I.W.T. shall be kept in which all vehicles crossing the ferry shall be noted.The lessee shall furnish monthly to the Executive Engineer/Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, a return in the prescribed form supplied to him. He (the lessee) shall fill up every column of the said form properly and completely and shall submit the same in the 1st week of the month succeeding to which it relates to.13.
Approach roads to all transport ferries, and low level bridges are constructed and maintained by the Inland Water Transport Department. The lessee is responsible for conveying immediate information of damages to the approaches to the nearest Moharrir or the officer-in-charge of the ferry (and for making temporary arrangement to prevent the interruptions of traffic, the cost of which will be paid by the I. W. T.) The I. W. T. to provide sufficient means for embarking and disembarking all persons, animals, vehicles and things which the lessee is bound to cross over at his ferry. The lessee shall provide tying and towing ropes and posts for securing the steamer/motor driven ferry vessel/engined marboat/engined single boat/marboat/single boat and handle them at his own cost. Properly constructed landing stages are provided by the I. W. T. on both sides of the ferry.Part II
(B)For regulating the time at which, the manner in which, the terms on which and the persons by whom the tolls of ferries may be let either by putting into public auction or by calling tenders or by both(C)For collecting the rent payable for the tolls of the ferry14.
All ferries shall be let by the officer-in-charge of the ferry either by public auction or if the Government so direct by calling for tenders.15. Letting of ferries by public auction or by calling tenders.
- The period for which the ferry shall be leased, shall be as fixed by the Director subject to the approval of the State Government in the Transport Department.16.
Auction sale shall be conducted on a date to be fixed by the officer-in-charge of the ferry in consultation with the Government in the Transport Department. Tender shall be invited by the officer-in-charge of the ferry if directed by the State Government in the Transport Department. At least 15 days' notice shall be given to the public before the date fixed for the auction sale and/or for receiving tenders and notice shall be widely circulated.17.
Bids or offered amount in tender need the approval of Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department. No bid or offered amount in tender for any ferry provisionally accepted by the officer conducting the sale or calling for tenders shall be considered to be final unless it is approved by the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department.17A.
The auction sale notice and notice for calling tender shall state-18.
The auction sale shall be held by the Deputy Commissioner/Sub-divisional Officer (Civil) or some other officer deputed by him for the purpose where the officer of the I.W.T., in-charge of the ferry shall also remain present.19.
The sale by auction/tender shall generally be to the highest bidder/tenderer. The Officer conducting the sale, calling for tender may, however, refuse to accept the bid/tender if any of the requirements of the bid/tender is not satisfied. Or, for sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing under his own hand he may refuse to accept the offer of the highest bidder or tenderer of any bid/tender. The officer shall in accepting the bid/tender consider the following factors amongst others :19A.
In accepting the 1st instalment of bid money of auction sale from the highest bidder or any other bidder whose bid is accepted by the officer conducting the sale, the bidder shall be informed in writing in the form in Appendix 'E' by the officer conducting the sale that the sale is subject to the approval of the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department.19B.
The Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department shall consider the result of the auction sale or tender or both together, as the case may be, for the purpose of final settlement.In doing so he shall consider among others whether the officer conducting the sale calling for tenders and the Director have taken into account and considered all the factors mentioned in Rule 19 above. The Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department may for reasons recording in writing disapprove of the bid/tender or both, as the case may be, accepted by the officer conducting the sale/calling for tenders and by the Director and may settle the ferry with any bidder/tenderer or may disapprove the sale/ tenders or both. The decision of the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department will be final and binding on all concerned.20.
The person whose bid in the auction sale is accepted shall pay the purchase money if it exceeds Rs. 200 in the following instalments :One-fourth of the total bid money subject to a minimum of Rs. 200 within three days from the date of sale. But the 1st instalment shall be treated as provisional until the bid is finally accepted by the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department.Balance or one-fourth of the total bid money whichever is less on or before the 1st June.Balance or one-fourth of the total bid money whichever is less on or before the 1st September.Balance or one-fourth of the total bid money whichever is less on or before the 1st December.These rules shall apply in case of ferry/ferries settled by calling for tenders with only the exception that the 1st instalment shall have to be deposited by the tenderer whose tender is accepted within seven days from the date of receiving orders for settlement.The 1st instalment of bid money paid by the bidder will be refunded to him by the Executive Engineer or Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, if the ferry is not finally settled by the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department.20A.
In case of ferries which are settled for a period less than one year, mode of payment of bid money will be decided by the officer-in-charge calling for tender with the approval of the State Government.21.
When the first instalment has been paid and after the sale/tender has been approved by the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department, a written lease signed by the Director "for and on behalf the Government of Assam" in the form in Appendix 'D' shall be drawn up. The lessee on being asked by the officer concerned to execute it after affixing adhesive stamps at his cost shall do so before handing over the ferry to him.22.
If the successful bidder/tenderer fails to comply with the stipulation made in Rules 20 and 21 above within the specified period mentioned therein the ferry may again be sold in auction or by calling for tenders or by both to some other and the full amount of loss shall be recoverable as arrear of land revenue from the former.23.
The lessee shall immediately after the final acceptance of the bid/tender and prior to being given charge of the ferry and grant of the lease, furnish to the Executive Engineer or the Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, cash security amounting to 25 per cent of the bid money for punctual payment of bid kist money and for efficient running of the ferry in addition to the instalments of bid/tender money mentioned in Rule 20. Further the lessee shall furnish cash security at the following rate in respect of each ferry, vessel, boat that will be handed over to him, for their proper use and safe custody, before the terry is handed over to him :| (a) | For each steamer/steel ferry vessel/motor driven ferry vessel | .....Rs. 7,500 |
| (b) | For each marboat with engine | .....Rs. 5,000 |
| (c) | For each single boat with engine | .....Rs. 3,000 |
24.
The shall provide and maintain light throughout the night on each side of the ferry ghats to incandescent lamps of not less than 200 candle powers each and of a type approved by the Executive Engineer/Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be.The lamp shall be hung up in a suitable place to illuminate the landing place one on each bank of the river and shall be kept alight throughout the night. The lessee shall also provide a lamp on each marboat and single boat when plying at night.25.
The lessee shall bear the expenditure on pay and allowance of all floating staff allotted by the Department for any type of boat/vessel, placed at the disposal of the lessee during the period of lease. The lessee shall be required to deposit with the Executive Engineer the entire amount that will be due to the staff during the lease period, in advance, before the ferry is landed over.26.
Petrol/ diesel/ coal/mobil oil and grease shall be purchased by the lessee at his own cost.26A.
The lessee shall bear all expenditure on flushing oil grease and any other lubricating oil and any other expenditure that may be required in connection with the periodical servicing of the engines and other machineries of the vessel/boats of the department placed at his disposal during the period of lease. It will not be open to the lessee to question the periodicity according to which such servicing is to be done.27.
In the event of loss or damage to the steamer/motor driven ferry/vessel/engined/marboat/single boat or any other property and appliances belonging to Government and in the charge of the lessee which is attributed to negligence on the part of the lessee, the Director/Executive Engineer/Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, shall assess such loss or damage and the amount so assessed shall be deducted from the security deposit. The amount assessed by any of the above officers will be final unless the Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Transport Department on a reference being made by the lessee within reasonable time modifies the amount on valid grounds. If the security does not cover the amount so assessed the balance may be recovered as an arrear of land revenue from the lessee.28.
All instalments of rent due or other amounts payable may, if not paid on or before the date, be recovered from the lessee of his security, if any, by any process by which arrear of land revenue may be recovered. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the lessee fails to pay any instalment of the purchase money as required under Rule 20 by the due date, the Executive Engineer/Sub-divisional Officer, as the case may be, may take over the ferry immediately and run it departmentally until the instalment in default in paid. The lessee shall have no claim to tolls collected during any such period, and shall be liable for any expenditure in excess of toll receipt which may be incurred for which the certificate of the Executive Engineer/Sub-divisional Officer under whom the ferry is operating shall be final and conclusive and during this period the steamer/motor driven ferry vessel/engined marboat/engined single boat/marboat single boat and other appliances whether the property of Government or of the lessee including the sheds and lights shall be placed at the disposal of the Government for the period for which the ferry is run departmentally.29.
Tickets for each item of the schedule of tolls shall be printed by the lessee at his own cost. No person, vehicle, animals or any other things and material shall be crossed without issuing printed tickets. Same procedure shall be followed while running the ferry departmentally even though the period may be very short.30.
Government in the Transport Department retains the rights to include new items with rates not covered by the existing schedule of tolls during the tenure of the lease which the lessee shall have to accept without any objection whatsoever. But when any reduction in the rates of tolls leviable is made during the tenure of the lease, the lessee shall be entitled to such abatement of the rent payable in respect of the tolls as may be fixed by the officer in the State Government whom the State Government may, from time to time, appoint in this behalf.31.
In the event of crossing the river being bridged permanently during the tenure of the lease, the lease will be cancelled on one calendar month's notice being given in writing to the lessee and no compensation will be payable for any loss sustained by the lessee or for any other reason due to such cancellation.32.
The lessee shall maintain a bound book which shall be produced on demand by any traveller for noting any remarks.33.
If and when any passenger and/or any other service is run by any company/Department etc., touching only one ghat and approach of a ferry, the lessee shall have no claim for remission or for compensation on this account.34.
The lessee shall have no claim for compensation or remission or refund of any portion of kist money on account of closure of traffic for a continuous period not exceeding 15 days due to any bridge or road having damaged by flood or any other reason.35.
No person shall establish, maintain or work a ferry to or from any point within a distance of 3.2 k.m. from the limits of a public ferry without the prior approval of the competent authority declared by the Government under Section 13 of the Northern India Ferries Act, 1878:Provided that recognised non-transport ferry/ferries only can run within the distance of 3.2 k.m. on either side of the ferry and no tolls shall be levied on recognised non-transport ferries or on persons, animals or conveyances crossing by a private boat not used for hire without using the approaches to the ferry. The lessee shall have no claim for compensation or remission or refund of kist money on this account:Provided also that any private party allowed to operative his own boats on hire within 3.2 k.m. of any of the points of a public ferry will be liable to pay for each trip, to the lessee, an amount equal to the rate fixed for the type of boat used by him, as if such boat had been supplied for special trips by the lessee himself, at the rate chargeable therefor as per the toll lists.36.
37.
On failure of the lessee to pay quarterly instalment and other dues to the Government on the due date, the lessee is liable to pay a fine at the rate of one per cent of the defaulted amount for each day of default and the same shall be recovered from the security bid money and the lease shall also be liable to be cancelled.38.
If any vessel/boat is employed by the Directorate of Inland Water Transport, Assam for carrying cargo and/or passengers for the Inland Water Transport Commercial Service or for relief or for any other purposes, within the jurisdiction of a ferry, the lessee shall not be entitled to charge any tolls or claim any remission or compensation for using the approach and routes of the said ferry.39.
No person shall cross a public ferry without paying the toll prescribed from time to time there by the Government under Section 15 of the Northern India Ferries Act, 1878 (Act 17 of 1878), unless exempted therefrom under any law for the time being in force :Provided that any person found crossing by a public ferry as above may compound this offence on payment of an amount equal to ten times the toll for that ferry.40.
Any officer/staff of the Directorate of Inland Water Transport remaining in-charge of checking of tickets or collection of tolls shall not allow any passengers to cross any public ferry without paying the tolls fixed from time to time for the ferry by the Government under Section 15 of the Northern India Ferries Act, 1878 (Act 17 of 1878), unless such passenger is specifically exempted thereunder any law for the time being in force.Appendix AThe following major ferries on the Brahmaputra-1. Jogighopa-Goalpara-Pancharatna.
2. Gauhati-North Gauhati.
3. Neamati-Kamlabari.
4. Dibrugarh-Sonari-Burisuti.
5. Sadiya-Saikhowa.
6. Tezpur-(Bhomoraguri)-Panpur-Silghat.
7. Dhubri-Fakirganj.
8. Dibrugarh-Sissi-Machkhowa.
9. Desangmukh-Matmora.
10. Dibrugarh-Kacharighat-Oryamghat-Via Galighat-Murkong selek.
11. Laikajan-Morkong selek.
[Vide Notification No. TWT 49/68/30, dated 3-1-1969 and No. TWT 49/68 Pages, dated 5-3-1969].Appendix B[Rule 8 (ii)]In addition to the persons, animals, vehicles and other things employed or transmitted on the public service which under Section 15 of Act 17 of 1878 (The Northern India Ferries Act) or under Section 3 of the Act 2 of 1901 [Indian Tolls (Army) Act] are exempted from the payment of tolls. The lessee shall cross over free of tolls-| Serial No. of Ferry | Name of the Ferry | Amount for which leased in the previous year | Details of bidding of every bidder | Period for which proposed to lease the ferry | Financial position, conduct, previous records aslessee capacity and any other relevant data of each bidder | Whether each bidder has periodic landed propertywithin the district or State of the value equal or more than thebid/tender money and can speak regional language |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Name of the bidder with whom the ferry isproposed to be settled | Caste/Creed of each bidder | Whether indigenous, permanent resident of Assamor outsiders | No. & date of the treasury challan depositingthe 1st kist money by the bidder whose bid is provisionallyaccepted | Remarks |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |