Establishment of Council

(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish, for the purposes of this Act, a Council to be called the Maritime State Development Council. (2) The Council shall consist of the following members, ex officio, namely:— (a) the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways who shall be the Chairperson; (b) the Minister-in-charge of ports of each State; (c) the Minister-in-charge of the Union territory of Puducherry and the Administrators of all other coastal Union territories; (d) an officer equivalent in rank to the Secretary of the Government of India in the Indian Navy dealing with coastal security, to be nominated by the Central Government in the Ministry of Defence; (e) an officer equivalent in rank to the Secretary of the Government of India in the Indian Coast Guard dealing with coastal security, to be nominated by the Central Government in the Ministry of Defence; (f) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, who shall be the Member Secretary of the Council. (3) The Chairperson may invite such persons to the meetings of the Council, in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be specified by regulations. (4) The Council shall transact business at its meetings in such manner as may be specified by regulations. (5) No member shall receive any remuneration for the performance of its functions under this Act. (6) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, the office of a member of the Council shall not be deemed to be an office of profit.