(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) Policy Watch: Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020

Topic: Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020

Expert Panel:

Rabinder Kumar Agarwal, (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping)
Chakshu Roy, (Head of Outreach, PRS Legislative Research)
Dr. P. K. Ghosh, (Shipping Expert)

Topic Description:

The Major Ports Authority Bill 2020,approved by Union Cabinet has which will be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament. It seeks to provide greater autonomy and flexibility to major ports. The Bill seeks to repeal the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. The bill was first tabled in parliament in 2016, but members then sought a review from the Parliamentary Standing Committee before enactment. India has 12 major ports. The total coastal cargo traffic handled by Indian Ports in 2018-19 was 262.56 million tonnes which was 12.68% more than the coastal cargo traffic of 233.02 million tonnes in Fiscal year 2017-18.