(1)The [State Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, after such inquiry as it may consider necessary, in respect of any system of inland waterways, or of any stretch of inland waterway, or of the run between any two stations on an inland waterway,-(a)fix the maximum or minimum rate [per kilometer] [Substituted by Act 13 of 1930, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).] which may be charged for passenger fares for passengers of any class travelling on inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).](b)fix the maximum rate [per kilometre] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.178).] which may be charged for freight on goods of any description carried in inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).];(c)fix the minimum rate [per kilometre] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.178).] which may be charged for freight on goods of any description carried in inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).]; and(d)declare what shall be deemed to be the distance between any two stations on an inland waterway for the purpose of calculating passengers' fares or freight on goods where maximum or minimum rates have been fixed under this section.
