Centre notifies Major Ports Adjudicatory Board Rules

According to a Gazette notice, this body will now be scrutinising the policy used by major ports to set their tariffs, taking over for the Tariff Authority for Major Ports.

On the proposal of a Selection Committee made up of the Chief Justice of India, the Secretaries of Shipping, and the Department of Personnel and Training, the Presiding Officer and members of the Adjudicatory Board shall be chosen by the Central Government.

The same authority granted to a civil court shall also be granted to this adjudicatory body. Its job is to evaluate and examine the center-identified strained Public Private Partnership projects and make recommendations for how to bring them back to life.

The rights and obligations of Major Ports and Public Private Partnership concessionaires or captive users for dedicated berth within the context of their concession agreements are also subject to adjudication by this Board.

After hearing from the parties involved, the board may issue any orders necessary in response to complaints received from port users regarding the services and terms of service provided by the Major Ports or the private operators operating in the Major Ports. Additionally, it may investigate any any subject pertaining to the operations of the Major Port that the centre may recommend to it.