The
Minister of State for Shipping and Road Transport & Highways, Shri Mansukh
L. Mandaviya informed in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today
that the Government has approved the draft Major Port Authorities (MPAs) Bill, 2016
to replace the existing Major Port Trusts Act (MPTA), 1963 to empower the 12 major
ports to perform with greater efficiency on account of full autonomy in
decision making.
THE
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE MAJOR PORT AUTHORITIES BILL, 2016 ARE AS FOLLOWS :
(i)
With
the growth and development of private ports, the major ports are facing severe competition
and difficulties in implementing the changes which may help them compete in the
evolving market conditions. The regulation of tariff in the major ports by the
Central Government are some of the critical factors hindering their growth and
development. To provide greater autonomy, flexibility to the Major Ports and
to professionalize their governance, it is proposed to repeal the Major Port
Trusts Act, 1963 and to replace it with a new legislation, namely the Major
Ports Authorities Bill, 2016.
(ii)
To
constitute a Board of Port Authority for each major port in the place of the
Board of Trustees.
(iii)
To
enable the Board of Port Authority to use its property, assets and funds in
such manner and for such purposes as it may deem fit for the benefit of the major
ports
(iv)
To
enter into and perform any contract necessary for the performance of its
functions under the proposed legislation.
(v)
To
make regulations for the purposes of operation, development and planning of the
major ports.
(vi)
To
frame the scales of rates for assets and services available at major ports.
(vii)
To
claim lien on such goods and to seize and detain the same until such rates and
rents are fully paid.
(viii)
To
empower the Board of Port Authority to raise loans and issue securities for the
purposes of the capital expenditure and working capital requirements of such
port authority.
(ix)
To
constitute an Adjudicatory Board for adjudication of disputes among major ports,
Public Private Partnership concessionaries and captive users. This
Adjudicatory Board shall consist of a Presiding Officer and such other Members
not exceeding two, as may be appointed by the Central Government.
(x)
To
make a provision for Corporate Social Responsibility measures within the port
limits.
(xi)
To
provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in India and to
vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards
of major ports authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto.
An
Adjudicatory Board has been proposed inter-alia for expeditious disposal of
disputes between ports and PPP concessionaries and suggest measures for revival
of such stressed to them. This will help boost private investment in port
sector and enable faster dispute resolution.
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NP/MS