(a) whether the Government have decided to change the present management structure of the major ports in the country;
(b) if so, the salient features of the proposed management structure;
(c) whether the Government have stipulated any time limit to implement the said decision;
(d) if so, the time by which the management structure of all the ports of the country is likely to be replaced by the new one; and
(e) the benefits likely to be accrued as a result thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
( DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN )
(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. A decision has been taken to corporatise the Major Ports in a phased manner. Corporatisation of ports involves converting them into companies which will have the independence of authority and decision making. It aims at granting operational freedom and flexibility to management in taking commercial and investment decisions. No time frame has been fixed for completion of the process.