Mormugao Port Trust has overnight had its nomenclature changed to Mormugao Port Authority. This is not restricted to just a name change, but under the Major Ports Authority Act bestows some sweeping powers to the port authority, powers that even allow it to override the local State body. It will have far-reaching consequences in the State, and there had been opposition to it, especially because of the impact it will have in a small State like Goa as the jurisdiction of the port includes a vast area, with civil society pointing that it extends to Zuari bridge, Raj Bhavan and Betul, which will affect especially the traditional fishermen. Coming as it does with a week to go to the February 14 State Legislative Assembly, this move could now get catapulted into a major election issue as it has far-reaching consequences that have already been listed and debated in the past.
The four key sections that will alter the current manner of functioning are Sec 22(2) that states that all port assets shall be used and developed as by the Board regulations excluding the regulations of the local governing bodies; Sec 22(3) which says that the board of each development for improving the commerce and trade in national interest, no regulatory licence or approval from State authorities will be needed unless mandated by the Central Government, and major ports may build, erect civil structures for the port; Sec 25 which mentions that the board of each port shall be entitled to create a specific master plan for any development, infrastructure established or proposed within port limits and the land appurtenant thereto and such master plan shall be independent of any local or State govt regulations of any authority whatsoever, and in case of any conflict related to the master plan, the master plan created by the board shall prevail; Sec 26(2) that reiterates that the power of the board to make regulations shall be independent of powers of any local authority to make regulations in respect of major port, and in case of any conflict between the regulations made by the Board and the local authorities, regulations made by the board shall prevail.
The opposition to the Act was precisely due to the above reasons as activists and others from civil society had pointed out that this could almost lead to a sort of privatisation of the port, allowing the port to create a master plan for infrastructure development independent of local and State laws. There were also charges that this act would permit Mormugao Port to be developed as a coal import hub and as a consequence, Goa would become a coal transportation corridor as the railways ferried the coal unloaded at the port to its destination in other States. With this, the fear of higher frequency of coal transportation trains in the State will increase. This will most likely lead to the opposition to the Major Ports Acts restarting, and could even have an effect on the State elections.
The opposition to the Major Port Authority Act was widespread, especially since it permits the port authority to plan development and override State laws. Civil society had protested the Major Ports Authority Bill and then the Act and the coal handling at the port was always linked to it. The government can expect it to restart in the coming weeks. Activists have already raised their voice over the change in name. The traditional fishermen who come within the port limits may be the ones who will be most affected by the provisions of the Act, and so most likely to take up the opposition to it.
The State, however, has been well aware of the opposition to the trust becoming an authority, but had been reluctant to take up the issue with the Centre. The matter was debated in the State Legislative Assembly, a resolution passed, but it did not go any further than that. In just over a month’s time there will be a new government at the helm of the State, and this will be one issue that will be of priority. It cannot be delayed or swept aside. The State leadership has to be strong enough to take up issues affecting the State with the Centre. The MPT to MPA is one such issue that requires leadership that can stand for the State.