Cabinet approves Major Ports Authority Bill

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 12

Aiming to give autonomy in decision-making to top 12 Indian ports and improve their efficiency and competitiveness, the government today approved Major Ports Authority Bill to replace a 1963 law governing the sector and said it would be introduced in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

Earlier, the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2016 and thereafter referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee but got lapsed after the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha.

“The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Major Port Authority Bill, 2020, to replace existing Major Port Trust Act. It will provide more operational autonomy to ports and fast decisions will be possible at port level only. The Bill will be introduced in ensuing session of Parliament,” Shipping Minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said.

“This will empower the major ports to perform with greater efficiency on account of full autonomy in decision-making and by modernising the institutional framework of major ports,” Mandaviya said, adding that the move would not only boost India’s EXIM trade, but also generate employment.