MESSAGE

The Financial Year (FY) 2022-2023 has ended. After the severe impact of COVID-19 during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22, the work gained momentum during the year 2022-23 and started moving gradually and smoothly quarter by quarter.

1.2. TAMP completed its glorious 25 years and in this context Silver Jubilee Celebrations were held in April 2022 to commemorate the occasion and to acknowledge the extensive work done by TAMP since its inception.

1.3. The Major Port Authorities (MPA) Act, 2021 has come into force from 3 November 2021. The MPA Act, 2021 provides greater autonomy and freedom to Major Ports in their decision making process and also in fixation of its own tariff. It also provides flexibility to Public Private Participation (PPP) Projects after commencement of the Act. The MPA Act, 2021 along with the Tariff Policy, 2021 for fixation of tariff by Major Port Authorities and Tariff Guidelines, 2021 for fixation of the market based tariff by future PPP Concessionaires, issued by the MOPSW, will enable the major ports and the future PPP concessionaires to reach to newer heights in terms of traffic, service, delivery, efficiency level and provide good competition to other ports.

1.4. As per the said Act, the Adjudicatory Board shall perform functions other than tariff setting, viz. functions envisaged to be carried out by erstwhile TAMP arising from Tariff Guidelines, 2005, 2008, 2013 and tariff Orders issued, adjudicate and pass orders on the disputes between the Major Ports and PPP concessionaires within the framework of the Concession Agreement, appraise, review and suggest measures for revival of stressed PPP Projects, look into complaints from port users against services rendered by Major Ports / PPP concessionaires and pass orders and look into matters referred by the Central Government or the Major Ports on Port operations and pass Orders / give suggestions. Thus, with the MPA Act, 2021 coming into effect, the tariff fixation mandate of TAMP (under the erstwhile Major Port Trusts Act, 1963) stands withdrawn with effect from 03 November 2021.

1.5. Until the constitution of the Adjudicatory Board, as per the MPA Act 2021, TAMP is to discharge the functions of the Adjudicatory Board. The Major Ports Adjudicatory Board Rules, 2023, have been notified by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) in the Gazette of India on 17 January 2023. The Regulations to describe the procedure to be followed by the TAMP/ Adjudicatory Board for discharging the functions and for other matters related thereto as envisaged in the MPA Act 2021, is being firmed up.

2. In the meanwhile, TAMP has taken up the cases received by it, for adjudication. Of the 6 cases received for adjudication during the year 2022-23, TAMP has disposed two cases. TAMP followed the consultative process and gave an opportunity of hearing in virtual form to the concerned stakeholders while discharging the functions as the Adjudicatory Board. The remaining 4 cases received are in the various stages of processing.

3. TAMP has also assisted the Committee constituted by the MOPSW under the Chairmanship of Chairman V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), for framing of the draft Model Concession Agreement (MCAs) on (a). Operation and Maintenance model, (b). Equip, Operate and Maintain (EOM) model (c). Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT) model. TAMP has also given inputs on the Draft Green Port Policy and Draft Policy on Industrial Area Development on PPP mode.

4. TAMP has announced the Wholesale Price Indexation factor to be applied by the BOT operators during the year 2023-24, after ascertaining from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

5. The audit of the accounts of the Authority for the year 2021-22 was undertaken by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India during the year 2022-23. As per the Audit Report released by the Comptroller and Auditor General there are no audit paras on the Accounts of the Authority for the year 2021-22.

6.1. Under the aegis of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” i.e. Celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence, TAMP has organised various events as per the directives of the Government.

6.2. TAMP has observed “International Yoga Day” on 21.06.2022 and in a run up to the said event organised lectures/ talk on benefits of Yoga with eminent personalities.

6.3. TAMP has observed Hindi Pakhwada - 2022 from 14.09.2022 to 28.09.2022 to promote increase in the use of Hindi in its official work and during the Pakhwada held various competitions in Hindi.

6.4. TAMP has observed Swachhata Pakhwada-2022 from 16.09.2022 to 30.09.2022. Since “Special Campaign 2.0” under Swachhata Action Plan is an all-time activity, the directives for cleanliness are continuously observed throughout the year.

6.5. TAMP celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 2023 and felicitated its women officials.

6.6. With an aim of ensuring transparency in the procurement of various assets for the use of the Office and in line with the Government directives, it has been the endeavour of TAMP to procure maximum of its goods and services through the public procurement portal i.e. Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

7. Every employee serving under TAMP shall become an employee of the Adjudicatory Board. We have to gear up ourselves to ensure smooth transition from TAMP to the Adjudicatory Board. All necessary steps are being initiated in this direction. I am confident that the transition to Adjudicatory Board will be smooth and without any glitches.

8. The achievements made so far would not have been possible without the active co-operation of all the stakeholders, more importantly our small, but ‘dedicated team’ of staff members. I am confident that role and functions of the Adjudicatory Board mandated under the MPA Act 2021 will also be accomplished with the active co-operation of all stakeholders.

9. I welcome comments and suggestions of stakeholders on our functioning which will provide valuable feedback to us to effect necessary improvements within the statutory mandate and guiding framework given to us.