Water transport workers to launch campaign against major port

CITU-affiliated Water Transport Workers' Federation of India has announced a 15-day 'campaign' in all major ports across the country from tomorrow opposing the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016.

The association alleged that the bill, likely to be passed in the monsoon session of Parliament, would pave the way for privatising the ports and sell acres of lands at throw away prices to corporates and multi-national companies.

Federation General Secretary T Narendra Rao in a statement claimed that several clauses of the bill were 'detrimental' to the interest of the nation and workers and pensioners.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on February 7 this year approved the incorporation of the official amendments to the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016.

The government has said the amendments, based on the recommendations of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee, would allow the port authorities to create specific master plan for development of infrastructure.