New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha passed the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Septemeber 23rd 2020. The Bill aims to provide for the 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 Port Authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Bill seeks to repeal the Major Ports Trust Act, 1963 and replace it with new legislation.
The bill also seeks to constitute an Adjudicatory Board for adjudication of disputes among major ports, public-private partnership concessionaires and captive users.
According to Live Law, Bill will allow the Board to use its property, assets and funds as deemed fit for the development of the major port. The Board can also make rules like declaring availability of port assets for port related activities and services, deciding infrastructure facilities such as setting up new ports, jetties, and provide exemption or remission from payment of any charges on any goods or vessels.
According to ANI, Minister of State for Ports Mansukh L. Mandaviya had said that the Bill was moved so that India's major ports can compete with major world-class ports. Mandaviya told ANI, "Major Ports Authorities Bill will encourage good competition between major and private ports. It will boost port land usage and amplify competition in port tariffs. India's major ports will be able to survive while competing with non-major and private ports."
Mandaviya while presenting the bill to Rajya Sabha said that the bill was not intended towards privatising major ports. "It would rather boost their decision-making powers so that they can compete with world-class ports," he added.