Question : CLASSIFICATION OF PORTS

(a) the criterion followed to determine the classification of the ports;

(b) the details of major ports in the country;

(c) whether the Government is contemplating to enhance the classification of Cochin Port from its “B” category to “A” category;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the time by which Cochin Port is likely to be placed in “A” category;

(f) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(g) the details of the reports of the different committees on the issue of classification of ports?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a)&(b) : There are twelve Major Ports in India out of which eleven are Major Port Trusts namely Kolkata, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kandla, Cochin, Paradip, Mormugao, Tuticorin and New Mangalore which are governed by the provisions of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. Ennore Port is a corporate entity under the Companies Act and is a Schedule ‘B’ Public Sector Enterprise as per the guidelines of the Department of Public Enterprises. Government has categorised the eleven Major Port Trusts for the purpose of pay scales of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen into two categories as under:

Category I : Kolkata, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kandla Port Trust

Category II : Cochin, Paradip, Mormugao, Tuticorin and New Mangalore Port Trust

Broadly, the categorisation of these Port Trusts is based on the comparison with Schedule ‘A’, Schedule ‘B’ and Schedule ‘C’ Public Sector Enterprises.

(c) to (g):The Government had constituted a Committee to examine whether existing categories should be continued, revised or be dispensed with in respect of Major Port Trusts including Cochin Port Trust.The Committee has recommended that all Port Trusts should be treated at par and that issues of pay scales, inter-se seniority, promotional avenues of incumbent officers and pension be settled by the Pay Revision Committee in a regime without categorisation.