Section 9 of The Calcutta Port (Pilotage) Act, 1948
The Commissioners shall have the power, with the previous sanction of the Central Government, to apply 1[any sum out of] the moneys credited to the general account towards meeting deficits, if any, in the pilotage account 2[maintained under section 36 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of 1908)] and to transfer the whole or 2[part of the surplus funds, if any, in such pilot age account] to the general account.
Summary
- This section gives the Port Commissioners the power to transfer money between two different accounts: the general account and the pilotage account.
- The pilotage account is the account maintained under Section 36 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
- To use money from the general account to cover a deficit, meaning a shortage of money, in the pilotage account, the Commissioners must first get approval from the Central Government.
- The Commissioners can also transfer either a part or the entirety of any surplus, meaning extra, money in the pilotage account back into the general account.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Whose permission is required to transfer money from the general account to meet deficits in the pilotage account?
The previous sanction, meaning prior approval, of the Central Government is required.
2. What can the Commissioners do if there is a deficit in the pilotage account?
They can apply any sum of money from the general account to cover the deficit, provided they have government approval.
3. Under what law is the pilotage account maintained?
The pilotage account is maintained under Section 36 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
4. Can the Commissioners transfer surplus funds from the pilotage account back to the general account?
Yes, they can transfer either the whole or any part of the surplus funds in the pilotage account to the general account.
5. Is previous Central Government approval required to transfer pilotage surplus funds back to the general account?
Yes, the Commissioners' power to apply general account funds to pilotage deficits and transfer surplus funds to the general account is subject to previous Central Government approval.
Test yourself
Q1.What does the term deficit mean in the context of the pilotage account?
Q2.Who must give previous sanction before general account funds are used to meet pilotage deficits?
Q3.Which account is used to meet deficits in the pilotage account?
Q4.Under which section of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, is the pilotage account maintained?
Q5.How much of the surplus funds in the pilotage account can be transferred to the general account?