The port staff belonging to CITU-affiliated Water Transport Workers’ Federation of India sat on a day-long dharna in front of Visakhapatnam port administration building in protest against the Major Ports Authority Bill, 2016, awaiting the nod of Parliament.
In response to a call for simultaneous protest at all major ports, the federation members called for rejection of the Bill, which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture.
Federation vice-president VS Padmanabha Raju alleged that the NDA government wanted to give away the valuable landholdings of Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and other ports to corporates.
At present, port lands could be given on lease. Outright sale will be allowed once the Bill is passed by Parliament.
He said the Bill will also pave the way for parking reserve and pension funds and gratuity in private banks.At present, it is permitted to be deposited only in nationalised banks.
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