UPSC Articles
Centre clears Major Ports Authority Bill
The Cabinet has given its nod to Major Ports Authority Bill that will replace a 1963 law governing country’s 12 major ports.
From Prelims Point of View:
Background:
- At present: ports are governed by a ports law of 1963.
- High logistic costs owing to legacy issues including the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP)’s archaic regulatory grip.
Overview of the Bill:
- 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.
- 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.