Date:11/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/11/stories/2005071102150300.htm

Back `Other interests' holding up formation of JNPT board?

N.K. Kurup

Mumbai , July 10

ARE "other interests" holding up constitution of the JNPT board?

According to port users, constitution of the new board of trustees of Jawaharlal Nehru Port has been delayed by more than three months now as the Government is yet to nominate trustees representing `other interests.'

JN Port, which handles (including the private terminal) about 60 per cent of the country's container cargo, could not hold any board meeting since the two-year term of the last board expired on March 31. And several important decisions are pending as the port trust chairman cannot take independent decisions.

Out of the 19 trustees on the board , the government nominates four representing `other interests'. They are people with expertise in transport and related areas but not directly connected with port activities. But port sources say `political interests' normally influence the nominations.

There are also trustees representing trade bodies such as Bombay Chamber of Commerce, Indian National Shipowners Association, and Bombay Customs House Agents Association. According to a port source, all these associations have nominated their representatives well in advance.

"On the one hand the government appoints external experts from IIMs to study the problems at JN port and on the other, it could not even constitute its board on time," said an official with a shipping company which has regular service from the port. While the port is running without a board, it is also facing a manpower problem with many key posts lying vacant. The post of Deputy Chairman has been vacant for more than a month since Ms Neera Saggi, left the port in June to join SEEPZ as its Development Commissioner. Two other senior officials had also left the port last month.

The Deputy Conservator of JN Port, Capt Subash Kumar, has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of Cochin Port Trust. Mr P.M. Mahapatra, Chief Manager (Finance), took over as Deputy Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust. Both these posts are yet to be filled up.

Another two senior officers — Mr Bhaskar Rao, Chief operating officer, and Mr A.K. Sen, Senior Manager, Container Terminal — will also be retiring this month.

According to port users, the delay in filling up these posts could affect the performance of the port, which is handling more than two million tonnes of cargo per annum and is being developed as a regional transhipment hub.