Major Port Authority Bill, 2020

WHY IN NEWS?

The Cabinet has given its nod to Major Ports Authority Bill that will replace a 1963 law governing country’s 12 major ports.

ABOUT MAJOR PORT AUTHORITY BILL, 2020

• The proposed law is aimed at enhancing the overall efficiencies of the ports.
• Now ‘major ports’ will get to determine the tariffs for various port-related services as well as the terms for private developers who team up with them.
• Every port will now be governed by a Port Authority which will have powers to fix reference tariffs for various port services.
• The Bill also proposes the creation of an adjudicatory board at the apex level for review of port authority’s decisions. It will have the mandate to resolve the disputes between port authorities and the PPP operators.

Major Ports in India:

• India has 12 major ports — Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia).

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Major Ports in India:
1.Presently India has 12 major ports.
2.Major Ports Authority Bill proposes, every port will now be governed by a Port Authority which will have powers to fix reference tariffs for various port services.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question