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Shipping ministry wants to include the people from environment and forest departments. In the process the idea is also to not the port trusts become parking slot for local politicians who often misused their position to influence contracts. "It is likely that the political nominees will have to vacate the posts to make way for the new members," a senior shipping ministry official said.
The board of trustees in the major ports are appointed in three categories. There are government officials from departments like customs, railways who are associated with port activity in the country. Port users and other interested parties also get representation on the board. Lastly, there is a general category where often politicians are nominated. "There is a need to ame nd the law of appointing trustees. It should be more professional and company like. People who have expertise and knowledge of the area should be brought in," said K Mohandas, former shipping secretary.
In that spirit industry players feel getting environment sector representatives on the board of major ports is a wise move considering it is one of the important aspects that needs to be taken into consideration for any port project. In the past various projects have been held up because of environment clearance.
While government is within its powers to reconstitute the boards, a senior government official said, it is considered fit that the members who were appointed as trustees as a political favour should quit when the government changes.
Besides, shipping ministry is also looking at ways to earn revenue from shore handling operations on the major ports. Kolkata Port has recently been asked implement its proposal to levy royalty on cargo handling operations at the Haldia Dock Complex based on an open and transparent auction process. For the remaining ports a committee, headed by Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Anthony is working out the modalities for revenue sharing in on-shore operations.
