“As per the provisions of the Major Port Trust Act 1963, the port trust board is the competent authority to create, operate and manage posts which are required for the smooth and efficient functioning of the ports up to any level, except the posts of head of the department,” he said.

Urging the Union Ministry of Shipping to take action on the demands to pay interim relief to port and dock workers at 15 per cent of their pay with effect from January 1, 2007, he said that five recognised federations had submitted a joint charter of demands on April 29, 2007 in this regard, persuading the port managements for an amicable settlement. “Port and dock workers are gravely agitated over the inordinate delay in reaching a settlement,” Mr Haneef said.

The major ports should not be made to compete among themselves. Instead, they should be made to compete with other international ports. To achieve this, there is a need for developing infrastructure at the major ports.

In this regard, major ports should be allowed to use their own resources for the development of infrastructure at the ports. “Because of the policy of the Government, we are not allowed to use our own resources,” he added.