THE MAJOR PORT TRUSTS ACT, 1963 [PART II]

CHAPTER VIIMPOSITION AND RECOVERY OF RATES AT PORTS

48.Scales of rates for services performed by Board or other person.

48. Scales of rates for services performed by Board or other person. (1) Every Board shall from time to time frame a scale of rates at which, and a statement of the conditions under which, any of the services specified hereunder shall be performed by itself or any person authorised under section 42 at or in relation to the port or port approaches–

(a) transhipping of passengers or goods between vessels in the port or port approaches;

(b) landing and shipping of passengers or goods from or to such vessels to or from any wharf, quay, jetty, pier, dock, berth, mooring, stage or erection, land or building in the possession or occupation of the Board or at any place within the limits of the port or port approaches;

(c) cranage or porterage of goods on any such place;

(d) wharfage, storage or demurrage of goods on any such place;

(e) any other service in respect of vessels, passengers or goods, excepting the services in respect of vessels for which fees are chargeable under the Indian Ports Act.

(2) Different scales and conditions may be framed for different classes of goods and vessels.

49.Scale of rates and statement of conditions for use of propertybelonging to Board.

49. Scale of rates and statement of conditions for use of property belonging to Board. (1) Every Board shall, from time to time, also frame a scale of rates on payment of which, and a statement of conditions under which, any property belonging to, or in the possession or occupation of, the Board, or any place within the limits of the port or the port approaches may be used for the purposes specified hereunder:–

(a) approaching or lying at or alongside any buoy, mooring, wharf, quay, pier, dock, land, building or place as aforesaid by vessels;

667.(b) entering upon or plying for hire at or on any wharf, quay, pier, dock, land, building, road, bridge or place as aforesaid by animals or vehicles carrying passengers or goods;

(c) leasing of land or sheds by owners of goods imported or intended for export or by steamer agents;

(d) any other use of any land, building, works, vessels or appliances belonging to or provided by the Board.

(2) Different scales and conditions may be framed for different classes of goods and vessels.

1*[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Board may, by auction or by inviting tenders, lease any land or shed belonging to it or in its possession or occupation at a rate higher than that provided under sub-section (1).]

50.

Consolidated rates for combination of services.

50. Consolidated rates for combination of services. A Board may, from time to time, frame a consolidated scale of rates for any combination of the services specified in section 48 or for any combination of such service or services with any user or permission to use any property belonging to or in the possession or occupation of the Board, as specified in section 49.51.Power to levy concessional rates in certain cases.

51. Power to levy concessional rates in certain cases. In framing scales under any of the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, the
Board may prescribe a lower rate in respect of,–

(a) costal goods, that is to say, goods, other than imported goods as defined in the Customs Act, 1962, (52 of
1962.) carried in a vessel from one Indian port to another Indian port:

Provided that the Board shall not make any discrimination between one Indian port and another such port in prescribing a lower rate under this section;

(b) other goods, in special cases.

52.Prior sanction of Central Government to rates and conditions.

52. Prior sanction of Central Government to rates and conditions.
Every scale of rates and every statement of conditions framed by a
Board under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter shall be submitted to the Central Government for sanction and shall have effect when so sanctioned and published by the Board in the Official Gazette.

53.Exemption from, and remission of, rates or charges.

53. Exemption from, and remission of, rates or charges. A Board may, in special cases and for reasons to be recorded in writing, exempt either wholly or partially any goods or vessels or class of goods or vessels from the payment of any rate or of any charge leviable in respect thereof according to any scale in force under this
Act or remit the whole or any portion of such rate or charge so levied.

54.Power of Central Government to require modification or cancellation ofrates.

54. Power of Central Government to require modification or cancellation of rates. (1) Whenever the Central Government considers it necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by order in writing together with a statement of reasons therefor, direct any
Board to cancel
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1. Ins. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 13 (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).

668.any of the scales in force or modify the same, within such period as that Government may specify in the order.

(2) If any Board against whom a direction is made under sub-
section (1) fails or neglects to comply with such direction within the specified period, the Central Government may cancel any of such scales or make such modifications therein as it may think fit:

Provided that before so cancelling or modifying any scale the
Central Government shall consider any objection or suggestion which may be made by the Board during the specified period.

(3) When in pursuance of this section any of the scales has been cancelled or modified, such cancellation or modification shall be published by the Central Government in the Official Gazette and shall thereupon have effect accordingly.

55.Refund of overcharges.

55. Refund of overcharges. No person shall be entitled to a refund of an overcharge made by a Board unless his claim to the refund has been preferred in writing by him or on his behalf to the Board within six months from the date of payment duly supported by all relevant documents:

Provided that a Board may of its own motion remit overcharges made in its bills at any time.

56.Notice of payment of charges short-levied or erroneously refunded.

56. Notice of payment of charges short-levied or erroneously refunded. (1) When any Board is satisfied that any charge leviable under this Chapter has been short-levied or erroneously refunded, it may issue a notice to the person who is liable to pay such charge or to whom the refund has erroneously been made, requiring him to show cause why he should not pay the amount specified in the notice:

Provided that no such notice shall be issued after the expiry of two years,–

(a) when the charge is short-levied, from the date of the payment of the charge;

(b) where a charge has been erroneously refunded, from the date of the refund.

(2) The Board may, after considering the representation, if any, made by the person to whom notice is issued under sub-section (1), determine the amount due from such person and thereupon such person shall pay the amount so determined.

57.Board not to lease rates without sanction.

57. Board not to lease rates without sanction. A Board shall not lease, farm, sell or alienate any power vested in it under this Act of levying rates without the prior sanction of the Central Government.

669.58.Time for payment of rates on goods.

58. Time for payment of rates on goods. Rates in respect of goods to be landed shall be payable immediately on the landing of the goods and rates in respect of goods to be removed from the premises of a
Board, or to be shipped for export, or to be transhipped, shall be payable before the goods are so removed or shipped or transhipped.

59.Boards lien for rates.

59. Boards lien for rates. (1) For the amount of all rates leviable by a Board under this Act in respect of any goods, and for the rent due to the Board for any buildings, plinths, stacking areas, or other premises on or in which any goods may have been placed, the
Board shall have a lien on such goods and may seize and detain the same until such rates and rents are fully paid.

(2) Such lien shall have priority over all other liens and claims, except for general average and for the ship-owners lien upon the said goods for freight and other charges where such lien exists and has been preserved in the manner provided in sub-section (1) of section 60, and for money payable to the Central Government 1*[“under any law for the time being in force relating to customs, other than by way of penalty or fine”].

60.

Ship-owners lien for freight and other charges.

60. Ship-owners lien for freight and other charges. (1) If the master or owner of any vessel or his agent, at or before the time of landing from such vessel any goods at any dock, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, berth, mooring or pier belonging to or in the occupation of a
Board, gives to the Board a notice in writing that such goods are to remain subject to a lien for freight or other charges payable to the ship-owner, to an amount to be mentioned in such notice, such goods shall continue to be liable to such lien to such amount.

(2) The goods shall be retained in the custody of the Board at the risk and expense of the owners of the goods until such lien is discharged as hereinafter mentioned; and godown or storage rent shall be payable by the party entitled to such goods for the time during which they may be so retained.

(3) Upon the production before any officer appointed by the Board in that behalf of a document purporting to be a receipt for, or release from, the amount of such lien, executed by the person by whom or on whose behalf such notice has been given, the Board may permit such goods to be removed without regard to such lien, provided that the Board shall have used reasonable care in respect to the authenticity of such document.

61.Sale of goods after two months if rates or rent are not paid or lienfor freight is not discharged.

61. Sale of goods after two months if rates or rent are not paid or lien for freight is not discharged. (1) A Board may, after the expiry of two months from the time when any goods have passed into its custody, or in the case of animals and perishable or hazardous goods after the expiry of such
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 21, for certain words (w.e.f.
1.2.1975).

670

shorter period not being less than twenty-four hours after the landing of the animals or goods as the Board may think fit, sell by public auction 1*[or in such case as the Board considers it necessary so to do, for reasons to be recorded in writing, sell by tender, private agreement or in any other manner], such goods or so much thereof as, in the opinion of the Board, may be necessary–

(a) if any rates payable to the Board in respect of such goods have not been paid, or

(b) if any rent payable to the Board in respect of any place on or in which such goods have been stored has not been paid, or

(c) if any lien of any ship-owner for freight or other charges of which notice has been given has not been discharged and if the person claiming such lien for freight or other charges has made to the Board an application for such sale.

(2) Before making such sale, the Board shall give ten days
notice of the same by publication thereof in 1*[ the Port Gazette, or where there is no Port Gazette, in the Official Gazette] and also in at least one of the principal local daily newspapers:

Provided that in the case of animals and perishable or hazardous goods, the Board may give such shorter notice and in such manner as, in the opinion of the Board, the urgency of the case admits of.

(3) If the address of the owner of the goods has been stated on the manifest of the goods or in any of the documents which have come into the hands of the Board, or is otherwise known, notice shall also be given to him by letter delivered at such address, or sent by post, but the title of a bona fide purchaser of such goods shall not be invalidated by reason of the omission to send such notice, nor shall any such purchaser be bound to inquire whether such notice has been sent.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, arms and ammunition and controlled goods may be sold at such time and in such manner as the Central Government may direct.

Explanation.–In this section and section 62–

(a) “arms and ammunition” have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Arms Act, 1959; (54 of 1959.)

(b) “controlled goods” means goods the price or disposal of which is regulated under any law for the time being in force.

62.Disposal of goods not removed. from premisies of within time limit.

62. Disposal of goods not removed for premisies of within time limit. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where any goods placed in the custody of the Board upon the landing thereof are not removed by the owner or other person entitled thereto
———————————————————————-
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 22 (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
2. Subs. by s. 22 ibid., for “the official gazette”(w.e.f.
1.2.1975).

671.from the premises of the Board within one month from the date on which such goods were placed in their custody, the Board may, if the address of such owner or person is known, cause a notice to be served upon him by letter delivered at such address or sent by post, or if the notice cannot be so served upon him or his address is not known, cause a notice to be published in 1*[the Port Gazette or where there is no
Port Gazette, in the Official Gazette] and also in at least one of the principal local daily newspapers, requiring him to remove the goods forthwith and stating that in default of compliance therewith the goods are liable to be sold by public auction 2*[or by tender, private agreement or in any other manner]:

Provided that where all the rates and charges payable under this
Act in respect of any such goods have been paid, no notice of removal shall be so served or published under this sub-section unless two months have expired from the date on which the goods were placed in the custody of the Board.

(2) The notice referred to in sub-section (1) may also be served on the agents of the vessel by which such goods were landed.

(3) If such owner or person does not comply with the requisition in the notice served upon him or published under sub-section (1), the
Board may, at any time after the expiration of two months from the date on which such goods were placed in its custody, sell the goods by public auction 2*[or in such cases as the Board considers it necessary so to do, for reasons to be recorded in writing sell by tender, private agreement or in any other manner] after giving notice of the sale in the manner specified in sub-sections (2) and (3) of section
61.(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-
section (3)–

(a) the Board may, in the case of animals and perishable or hazardous goods, give notice of removal of such goods although the period of one month or, as the case may be, of two months specified in sub-section (1) has not expired or give such shorter notice of sale and in such manner as, in the opinion of the Board, the urgency of the case requires;

(b) arms and ammunition and controlled goods may be sold in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 61.(5) The Central Government may, if it deems necessary so to do in the public interest, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any goods or classes of goods from the operation of this section.

63.Application of sale proceeds.

63. Application of sale proceeds. (1) The proceeds of every sale under section 61 or section 62 shall be applied in the following order–

(a) in payment of the expenses of the sale;
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 23, for “the official gazette”
(w.e.f. 1.2.1975)
2. Ins. by s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).

672.(b) in payment, according to their respective priorities, of the liens and claims excepted in sub-section (2) of section 59 from the priority of the lien of the Board;

(c) in payment of the rates and expenses of landing, removing, storing or warehousing the same, and of all other charges due to the Board in respect thereof
1*[including demurrage (other than penal demurrage)
payable in respect of such goods for a period of four months from the date of landing];

1*[(d) in payment of any penalty or fine due to the Central
Government under any law for the time being in force relating to customs;

(e) in payment of any other sum due to the Board.]

2*[(2) The surplus, if any, shall be paid to the importer, owner or consignee of the goods or to his agent, on an application made by him in this behalf within six months from the date of the sale of the goods.

(3) Where no application has been made under sub-section (2), the surplus shall be applied by the Board for the purposes of this Act.]

64.Recovery of rates and charges by distraint of vessel.

64. Recovery of rates and charges by distraint of vessel. (1) If the master of any vessel in respect of which any rates or penalties are payable under this Act, or under any regulations or orders made in pursuance thereof, refuses or neglects to pay the same or any part thereof on demand, the Board may distrain or arrest such vessel and the tackle, apparel and furniture belonging thereto, or any part thereof, and detain the same until the amount so due to the Board, together with such further amount as may accrue for any period during which the vessel is under distraint or arrest, is paid.

(2) In case any part of the said rates or penalties, or of the cost of the distress or arrest, or of the keeping of the same, remains unpaid for the space of five days next after any such distress or arrest has been so made, the Board may cause the vessel or other things so distrained or arrested to be sold, and, with the proceeds of such sale, shall satisfy such rates or penalties and costs, including the costs of sale remaining unpaid, rendering the surplus (if any) to the master of such vessel on demand.

65.Grant of port-clearance after payment of rates and realisation ofdamages, etc.

3*[65. Grant of port-clearance after payment of rates and realisation of damages, etc. If a Board gives to the officer of the
Central Government whose duty it is to grant the port-clearance to any vessel at the port, a notice stating,–

(i) that an amount specified therein is due in respect of rates, fines, penalties or expenses chargeable under this Act or under any regulations or orders made in pursuance thereof, against such vessel, or by the owner or master of such vessel in respect thereof, or against or in respect of any goods on board such vessel; or

(ii) that an amount specified therein is due in respect of any damage referred to in section 116 and such amount together with the cost of the proceedings for the recovery thereof before a Magistrate under that section has not been realised,

such officer shall not grant such port-clearance until the amount so chargeable or due has been paid or, as the case may be, the damage and cost have been realised.]

CHAPTER VIIBORROWING POWERS OF BOARD

66. Power to raise loans. (1) A Board may, with the previous sanction of the Central Government and after due notification in the
Official Gazette, raise loans for the purposes of this Act:
———————————————————————-
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 24 (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
2. Subs. by s. 24, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
3. Subs. by s. 25, ibid.. for s. 65.673.Provided that no such notification shall be necessary if a loan is obtained from the Central Government or a State Government.

(2) Loans may be raised by a Board in the open market on Port
Trust securities issued by it or may be obtained from the Central
Government or a State Government.

(3) The terms of all loans shall be subject to the approval of the Central Government.

67.Port Trust securities.

67. Port Trust securities. (1) A Board may, with the sanction of the Central Government, prescribe the form in which Port Trust securities shall be issued by it and the mode in which, and the conditions subject to which, they may be transferred.

(2) The holder of any Port Trust security in any form may obtain in exchange therefor, upon such terms as the Board may from time to time determine a Port Trust security in any other form prescribed by regulations.

(3) The right to sue in respect of moneys secured by Port Trust securities shall be exercisable by the holders thereof for the time being without preference in respect of priority of date.

68.Right of survivors of joint or several payees of securities.

68. Right of survivors of joint or several payees of securities.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 45 of the Indian
Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872)–

(a) when any Port Trust security is payable to two or more persons jointly, and either or any of them dies, the
Port Trust security shall be payable to the survivor or survivors of those persons, and

(b) when any such security is payable to two or more persons severally and either or any of them dies, the security shall be payable to the survivor or survivors of those persons, or to the representatives of the deceased, or to any of them.

(2) This section shall apply whether such death occurred or occurs before or after the appointed day.

(3) Nothing herein contained shall affect any claim which any representative of a deceased person may have against the survivor or survivors under or in respect of any security to which sub-section (1)
applies.

(4) For the purposes of this section, a body incorporated or deemed to be incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, (1 of 1956)
or the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912) or any other enactment for the time being in

674.force, whether within or without India, shall be deemed to die when it is dissolved.

69.Power of one or two or more joint holders to grant receipts.

69. Power of one or two or more joint holders to grant receipts.
Where two or more persons are joint holders of any Port Trust security, any one of those persons may give an effectual receipt for any interest payable in respect of such security unless notice to the contrary has been given to the Board by any other of the holders.

70.

Indorsements to be made on security itself.

70. Indorsements to be made on security itself. Notwithstanding anything in section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, (26 of
1881) no indorsement of a Port Trust security, which is transferable by indorsement, shall be valid unless made by the signature of the holder inscribed on the back of the security itself.

71.Indorser of security not liable for amount thereof.

71. Indorser of security not liable for amount thereof.
Notwithstanding anything in the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, (26.of 1881) a person shall not by reason only of his having indorsed any
Port Trust security be liable to pay any money due, either as principal or as interest, thereunder.

72.Impression of signature on securities.

72. Impression of signature on securities. (1) The signature of the person authorised to sign Port Trust securities on behalf of the
Board may be printed, engraved or lithographed or impressed by such other mechanical process, as the Board may direct on such securities.

(2) A signature so printed, engraved, lithographed or otherwise impressed shall be as valid as if it had been inscribed in the proper handwriting of the person so authorised.

73.Issue of duplicate securities.

73. Issue of duplicate securities. (1) When any Port Trust security is alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed either wholly or in part, and a person claims to be the person to whom but for the loss, theft or destruction it would be payable, he may, on application to the Board and on producing proof to its satisfaction of the loss, theft or destruction and of the justice of the claim and on payment of such fee, if any, as may be prescribed by regulations, obtain from the Board an order for–

(a) the payment of interest in respect of the security said to be lost, stolen or destroyed, pending the issue of a duplicate security; and

(b) the issue of a duplicate security payable to the applicant.

(2) An order shall not be passed under sub-section (1) until after the issue by the Board of the prescribed notification of the loss, theft or destruction.

675.(3) A list of the securities in respect of which an order is passed under sub-section (1) shall be published in such manner as the
Board may prescribe.

(4) If at any time before the Board becomes discharged under the provisions of this Act from liability in respect of any security the whole of which is alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, such security is found, any order passed in respect thereof under this section shall be cancelled.

74.Issue of converted, etc., securities.

74. Issue of converted, etc., securities. (1) A Board may, subject to such conditions as it may prescribe, on the application of a person claiming to be entitled to a Port Trust security or securities issued by it, on being satisfied of the justice of the claim and on delivery of the security or securities receipted in such manner and on payment of such fee, if any, as it may prescribe, convert, consolidate or sub-divide the security or securities, and issue to the applicant a new security or securities accordingly.

(2) The conversion, consolidation or sub-division referred to in sub-section (1) may be into a security or securities of the same, or different classes or of the same or different loans.

74A.

Recognition as holder of Port Trust securities in certain cases.

1*[74A. Recognition as holder of Port Trust securities in certain cases. The person to whom a duplicate security has been issued under section 73 or a new security or securities has or have been issued under section 74 shall be deemed for the purposes of section 74B to have been recognised by the Board as the holder of the security or securities; and a duplicate security or a new security or securities so issued to any person shall be deemed to constitute a new contract between the Board and such person and all persons deriving title thereafter through him.

74B.

Legal effect of recognition by the Board under section 74A.

74B. Legal effect of recognition by the Board under section 74A.
No recognition by the Board of a person as the holder of a Port Trust security or securities shall be called in question by any court so far as such recognition affects the relations of the Board with the person recognised by it as the holder of a Port Trust security or securities or with any person claiming an interest in such security or securities; and any such recognition by the Board of any person shall operate to confer on that person a title to the security or securities subject only to a personal liability to the rightful owner of the security or securities for money had and received on his account.]

75.Discharge in certain cases.

75. Discharge in certain cases. Notwithstanding anything contained in 2*[the limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963)]–

(i) on payment of the amount due on a Port Trust security on or after the date on which payment becomes due, or

(ii) when a duplicate security has been issued under section
73, or

(iii) when a new security or securities has or have been issued upon conversion, consolidation or sub-division under section 74,

the Board shall be discharged from all liability in respect of the security or securities so paid or in place of which a duplicate or new security or securities has or have been issued–

(a) in the case of payment– after the lapse of six years from the date on which payment was due;

(b) in the case of a duplicate security– after the lapse of six years from the date of the publication under sub-
section (3) of section 73 of the list in which the security is first mentioned or from the date of the last payment of interest on the original security, whichever date is later;
———————————————————————-
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 26 (w.e.f. 1-2-1975).
2. Subs. by s. 27, ibid., for “the indian limitation Act, 1908 (9 of
1908)”, (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).

676.(c) in the case of a new security issued upon conversion, consolidation or sub-division–after the lapse of six years from the date of the issue thereof.

76.Power of Board to make regulations.

76. Power of Board to make regulations. A Board may, from time to time, make regulations to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:–

(a) the person, if any, authorised to sign, and the mode of affixing the corporate seal and of attestation of documents relating to Port Trust securities issued or to be issued by the Board;

(b) the manner in which payment of interest in respect of such Port Trust securities is to be made, recorded and acknowledged;

(c) the circumstances and the manner in which such Port
Trust securities may be renewed;

(d) the circumstances in which such securities must be renewed before further payment of interest thereon can be claimed;

(e) the form in which such securities delivered for renewal, conversion, consolidation or sub-division are to be receipted;

(f) the proof which is to be produced by a person applying for duplicate securities;

(g) the form and manner of publication of the notification mentioned in sub-section (2) of section 73 and the manner of publication of the list mentioned in sub-
section (3) of that section;

(h) the nature and amount of indemnity to be given by a person applying for the payment of interest on Port
Trust securities alleged to have been wholly or partly lost, stolen or destroyed, or for the issue of duplicate Port Trust securities;

(i) the conditions subject to which Port Trust securities may be converted, consolidated or sub-divided;

(j) the amounts for which stock certificate may be issued;

(k) generally, all matters connected with the grant of duplicate, renewed, converted, consolidated and sub-
divided securities;

677.(l) the fees to be paid in respect of the issue of duplicate securities and of the renewal, conversion, consolidation and sub-division of Port Trust securities;

(m) the fees to be levied in respect of the issue of stock certificates.

77.Place and currency of loans raised by Board.

77. Place and currency of loans raised by Board. All loans contracted by a Board under this Act shall be raised in India, and in
Indian currency, unless the Central Government, by notification in the
Official Gazette, otherwise directs.

78.Security for loans taken out by Board.

78. Security for loans taken out by Board. All loans raised by a
Board under this Act shall be a first charge on–

(a) the property vested, or which may hereafter during the currency of the loans become vested, in the Board
1*[other than–

(i) any sum set apart by the Board–

(1) as the sinking fund for the purpose of paying off any loan; or

(2) for the payment of pension to its employees;
or

(ii) the provident or pension fund established by the
Board; and]

(b) the rates leviable by the Board under this Act.

79.Remedies of Government in respect of loans made to Boards.

79. Remedies of Government in respect of loans made to Boards.
The Central Government or a State Government shall have in respect of loans made by it to a Board, or of loans made to any other authority for the repayment of which the Board is legally liable, the same remedies as holders of Port Trust securities issued by the Board; and such Government shall not be deemed to possess any prior or greater rights in respect of such loans than holders of such Port Trust securities:

Provided that where the terms of any such loan made before the appointed day expressly provide that the loan shall have priority over all other loans in the matter of repayment by the Board, such loan shall have priority.

80.

Power of Board to repay loans before due date.

80. Power of Board to repay loans before due date. A Board may, with the previous sanction of the Central Government, apply any sums, out of moneys which may come into its hands under the provisions of this Act and which can be so applied without prejudicing the security of the other holders of Port Trust securities, in repaying to the
Government any sum which may remain due to it in respect of the principal of any loan although the time fixed for the repayment of the same may not have arrived:

Provided that no such repayment shall be made of any sum less than ten thousand rupees; and that, if such repayment is made, the amount of interest in each succeeding instalment shall be so adjusted as to represent exactly the interest due on the outstanding principal.
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 28, for certain words (w.e.f.
1-2-1975).

678.81.Establishment of sinking fund.

81. Establishment of sinking fund. (1) In respect of every loan raised by a Board under this Act, which is not repayable before the expiration of one year from the date of the loan, the Board shall set apart half-yearly out of its income as a sinking fund a sum sufficient to liquidate the loan within a period which shall not in any case, unless the previous consent of the Central Government has been obtained, exceed thirty years; but the maximum period shall not in any case exceed sixty years:

Provided that a sinking fund need not in the absence of any stipulation to that effect be established in the case of loans taken by the Board from the Central Government or any State Government.

(2) Where any sinking fund has, before the appointed day, been established by any authority in respect of a loan raised by it for which loan the Board is liable under this Act, the sinking fund so established by that authority shall be deemed to have been established by the Board under this section.

82.Investment and application of sinking fund.

82. Investment and application of sinking fund. (1) The sums so set apart by a Board under sub-section (1) of section 81 and the sums forming part of any sinking fund referred to in sub-section (2) of that section shall be invested in public securities or in such other securities as the Central Government may approve in this behalf, and shall be held in trust for the purposes of this Act 1*[by the Board].

(2) A Board may apply the whole or any part of the sums accumulated in any sinking fund in or towards the discharge of the moneys for the repayment of which the fund has been established:

Provided that it pays into the fund in each year, and accumulates until the whole of the moneys borrowed are discharged, a sum equivalent to the interest which would have been produced by the sinking fund, or the part of the sinking fund so applied.

83.Examination of sinking fund.

83. Examination of sinking fund. (1) A sinking fund established for the liquidation of any loan shall be subject to annual examination by such person as may be appointed by the Central Government in this behalf, and the person so appointed shall ascertain whether the cash and the current market value of the securities at the credit of the fund are actually equal to the amount which would have been accumulated had investments been regularly made and had the rate of interest as originally estimated been obtained thereon.

(2) A Board shall pay forthwith into the sinking fund any amount which the person appointed under sub-section (1) to conduct the
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 29, for certain words (w.e.f.
1-2-1975).

679.annual examination of the fund may certify to be deficient, unless the
Central Government specifically sanctions a gradual readjustment.

(3) If the cash and the current market value of the securities at the credit of a sinking fund are in excess of the amount which should be at its credit, the person appointed under sub-section (1) shall certify the amount of this excess, and the Board may, with the previous sanction of the Central Government,–

(a) withdraw the whole or any part of the certified excess in which case the Trustees in whose names the sinking fund is invested under sub-section (1) of section 82, shall forthwith transfer securities of the requisite current market value, or cash and securities of the requisite current market value, to the Board, or

(b) reduce or discontinue the half-yearly contributions to the sinking fund required under section 81, or

(c) adopt a combination of these measures.

84.Power of Board to raise loans on short-term bills.

84. Power of Board to raise loans on short-term bills. Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to affect the power of the Board to raise loans under the Local Authorities Loans Act, 1914 (9 of
1914).

85.Power of Board to take temporary loans or overdrafts.

85. Power of Board to take temporary loans or overdrafts.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a Board may borrow moneys by means of temporary overdraft or otherwise by pledging the securities held by the Board in its reserve funds or on the security of the fixed deposits of the Board in its banks:

Provided that such temporary overdrafts or other loans–

(a) shall not at any time have a longer currency than six months; and

(b) shall not be taken, without the previous sanction of the
Central Government, if at any time in any year the amount of such overdrafts or other loans exceeds
1*[such amount as the Central Government may fix in this behalf and different amounts may be fixed with respect to different Boards]:

Provided further that all moneys so borrowed by temporary overdrafts or otherwise shall be expended for the purposes of this
Act.

86.Power of Board to borrow money from International Bank forReconstruction and Development or other foreign institutions.

86. Power of Board to borrow money from International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development or other foreign institutions.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, a Board may, with the previous sanction of the Central Government and on such terms and conditions as may be approved by that Government, raise for the purposes
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 14, for certain words (w.e.f.
31.5.1982).

680

of this Act loans in any currency or currencies from the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development or from any other bank or institution in any country outside India; and no other provision of this Chapter shall apply to or in relation to any such loan unless the terms and conditions of the loan or the approval thereof by the
Central Government otherwise provide.

CHAPTER VIIIREVENUE AND EXPENDITURE

87. General account of port. All moneys received by or on behalf of a Board under the provisions of this Act, and all moneys received by it as the Conservator of the port and of the port approaches or as the body appointed under sub-section (1) of section 36 of the Indian
Ports Act 1*** shall be credited to a fund called the general account of the port.88.Application of moneys in general account.

88. Application of moneys in general account. (1) The moneys credited to the general account under section 87, shall, subject to the provisions of section 89 of this Act and of section 36 of the
Indian Ports Act, be applied by the Board in payment of the following charges, namely:–

(a) the interest and instalments of principal due in respect of any loan that may have been raised or obtained by the Board or for the repayment of which the Board may be liable, and payments to the sinking fund established for such loan;

(b) the salaries, fees, allowances, pensions, gratuities, compassionate allowances or other moneys due to–

(i) the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other
Trustees;

(ii) the employees of the Board; and

(iii) the surviving relatives, if any, of such employees;

(c) the contributions, if any, payable to the Central
Government or any State Government on account of the pension and leave allowance of any officer lent to the
Board by such Government;
———————————————————————-
1. Certain word omitted by Act 23 of 1992, s. 8 (w.e.f. 12.8.1992).

681.(d) the cost and expenses, if any, incurred by the Board in the conduct and administration of any provident or welfare fund or loan or special fund established by the
Board;

(e) the contributions, if any, duly authorised to be made by regulations made under this Act to any such fund as is referred to in clause (d)

(f) any charges for which the Board may be liable under section 108 or section 109;

1*[(g) such sums as may, from time to time, be agreed upon by the Board and a State Government or the Central
Government or any other authority, as a reasonable contribution payable by the Board towards the expenses in connection with the watch and ward functions of the police force or the Central Industrial Security Force or any other force which the State Government or the
Central Government or the other authority, as the case may be, may establish and maintain for the protection of the port and the docks, warehouses and other property of the Board;]

(h) the cost of repairs and maintenance of the property belonging to or vested in the Board and all charges upon the same and all working expenses;

(i) the cost of the execution and provision of any new work or appliance specified in section 35 which the Board may determine to charge to revenue;

(j) any expenditure incurred under section 36;

(k) any other expenditure which may be incurred by the Board generally for the purposes of this Act;

(l) any other charge which may on the application of the
Board 1*[or otherwise] be specially sanctioned by the
Central Government or for which the Board may be legally liable.

(2) 3*[Subject to such general or special directions as the Central
Government may, for the purpose of maintenance or development of major ports in the country or generally for the development of shipping and navigation, give in this behalf, all moneys standing at the credit of the Board] which cannot immediately be applied in the manner or for the purposes specified in sub-section (1) shall–

(a) be deposited in the State Bank of India or in such
3*[corresponding new bank or banks], and subject to such conditions as may, from time to time, be specified by the Central Government; or

(b) be invested in public securities or in such other securities as the Central Government may approve in this behalf; and the said securities shall be held in trust by the Board for the purposes of this Act4*[or].

5*[(c) be given as a loan to the Board of another port for the development of that port.

Explanation.–For the purposes of this sub-section,
“corresponding new bank” means a corresponding new bank as defined in the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act,
1970 or the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of
Undertakings) Act, 1980.]

2*[(3) Every direction issued by the Central Government under sub-section (2) shall be complied with by the Board and shall not be called in question in any court on any ground.

(4) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the
Central Government, the Board or any officer or other employee of the
Board authorised by it in this behalf for any loss or damage caused or likely to be caused by anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of any direction issued under sub-
section (2).]
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 30, for cls. (g) (w.e.f. 1-2-1975).
2. Ins. by s. 30, ibid. (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
3. Subs. by Act 12 of 1988, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 28.1.88)
4. Added by s.2, ibid. (w.e.f. 28.1.1988).
5. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 28.1.1988).

682.1* * * * *

90.

Establishment of reserve funds.

90. Establishment of reserve funds. (1) A Board may, from time to time, set apart such sums out of its surplus income as it thinks fit, as a reserve fund or funds for the purpose of expanding existing facilities or creating new facilities at the port or for the purpose of providing against any temporary decrease of revenue or increase of expenditure from transient causes or for purposes of replacement or for meeting expenditure arising from loss or damage from fire, cyclones, shipwreck or other accident or for any other emergency arising in the ordinary conduct of its work under this Act:

Provided that the sums set apart annually in respect of, and the aggregate at any time of, any such reserve fund or funds shall not exceed such amounts as may, from time to time, be fixed in that behalf by the Central Government.

(2) Any such reserve fund or funds may be invested in public securities or in such other securities as the Central Government may approve in this behalf.

91.Power to reserve Port Trust securities for Boards own investments.

91. Power to reserve Port Trust securities for Boards own investments. (1) For the purposes of any investment which a Board is authorised to make by this Act, it shall be lawful for every Board to reserve and set apart any securities to be issued by it on account of any loan to which the consent of the Central Government has been given, provided that the intention to so reserve and set apart such securities has been notified as a condition to the issue of the loan.

(2) The issue by any Board of any such securities direct to and in the name of the Board shall not operate to extinguish or cancel such securities, but every security so issued shall be valid in all respects as if issued to, and in the name of, any other person.

(3) The purchase by a Board, or the transfer, assignment or indorsement to a Board or to the Trustees of the sinking fund set up by a Board, of any security issued by the Board, shall not operate to extinguish or cancel any such security but the same shall be valid and negotiable in the same manner and to the same extent as if held by, or transferred or assigned or indorsed to, any other person.
———————————————————————-
1. S. 89 omitted by Act 23 of 1992, s. 8 (w.e.f. 12.8.1992)

683.92.Prior sanction of Central Government to charge expenditure to capital.

92. Prior sanction of Central Government to charge expenditure to capital. (1) No expenditure shall be charged by a Board to capital without the previous sanction of the Central Government:

Provided that a Board may without such sanction charge to capital expenditure not exceeding such limit as may be specified, and subject to such conditions as may be imposed, by the Central Government.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to require the further sanction of the Central Government in any case where the actual expenditure incurred as a charge to capital exceeds the expenditure sanctioned in this behalf by the Central Government unless the excess is more than ten per cent of the expenditure so sanctioned.

93.Works requiring sanction of Board or Central Government.

93. Works requiring sanction of Board or Central Government. (1)
No new work or appliance, the estimated cost of which exceeds such amount as may be fixed by the Central Government in this behalf, shall be commenced or provided by a Board, nor shall any contract be entered into by a Board in respect of any such new work or appliance until a plan of and estimate for, such works or appliance has been submittted to and approved by, the Board; and, in case the estimated cost of any such new work or appliance exceeds such amount as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Central Government in this behalf, the sanction of the Central Government to the plan and estimate shall be obtained before such work is commenced or appliance provided.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to require the further sanction of the Central Government in any case where the actual expenditure incurred does not exceed by more than ten per cent., the estimated cost so sanctioned.

94.Powers of Chairman as to execution of works.

94. Powers of Chairman as to execution of works. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 93, the Chairman may direct the execution of any work the cost of which does not exceed such maximum limit as may be fixed by the Central Government in this behalf, and may enter into contracts for the execution of such works but in every such case the Chairman shall, as soon as possible, make a report to the Board of any such directions given or contracts entered into by him.

95.Power of Board to compound or compromise claims.

95. Power of Board to compound or compromise claims. Every Board may compound or compromise any claim or demand or any action or suit instituted by or against it for such sum of money or other compensation as it deems sufficient:

684.Provided that no settlement shall be made under this section without the previous sanction of the Central Government if such settlement involves the payment by the Board of a sum exceeding such amount as may be specified by the Central Government in this behalf.

96.Writing off of losses.

96. Writing off of losses. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Central Government, where a Board is of opinion that any amount due to or any loss, whether of money or of property, incurred by, the Board is irrecoverable, the Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, sanction the writing off finally of the said amount or loss:

1*[Provided that no such approval of the Central Government shall be necessary where such irrecoverable amount or loss does not exceed, in any individual case and in the aggregate in any year, such amounts as the Central Government may, from time to time, by order, fix and different amounts may be fixed with respect to different Boards.]

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where the Chairman is of opinion that any amount due to, or any loss, whether of money or of property, incurred by the Board is irrecoverable, the Chairman may sanction the writing off finally of such amount or loss provided that 1*[such amount or loss does not exceed, in any individual case and in the aggregate in any year, such amounts as the Central Government may, from time to time, by order, fix and different amounts may be fixed with respect to different
Boards.]

1*[(3) In every case in which the Chairman sanctions the writting off of any amount or loss under sub-section (2), he shall make a report to the Board giving reasons for such sanction.]

97.Powers, etc., of Board as Conservator or Body appointed under section36 of
Indian Ports Act.

97. Powers, etc., of Board as Conservator or Body appointed under section 36 of Indian Ports Act. All the powers, authorities and restrictions contained in this Act in respect of the works by this Act authorised, shall apply to the works which may be executed by the
Board as the Conservator of the port or as the body appointed under sub-section (1) of section 36 of the Indian Ports Act 2*xxx and also to the sanction of such works, the estimates therefor, and the expenditure thereunder.

98.Budget estimates.

98. Budget estimates. (1) A Board shall, on or before the thirty-
first day of January in each year, hold a special meeting at which the
Chairman of the Board shall submit an estimate of the income and expenditure of the Board for the next financial year, in such form as the Central Government may specify.
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 15, for the former proviso (w.e.f.
31.5.1982).
2. Subs. by s. 15, ibid. for certain words (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).
3. Ins. by s. 15, ibid. (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).
4. Certain words omitted by Act 23 of 1992, s. 8 (w.e.f. 12.8.1992)

685.(2) A copy of such estimates shall be sent by post or otherwise to each Trustee so as to reach him not less than ten clear days prior to the date appointed for the special meeting referred to in sub-
section (1).

(3) The Board shall consider the estimate at such meeting and may provisionally approve of it with or without modifications.

(4) The Board shall, on or before the tenth day of February, cause a copy of such estimate as provisionally approved by it, to be sent to the Central Government.

(5) The Central Government may sanction the estimate or may return it with remarks and may call for such additional information as it may deem necessary.

(6) When an estimate is returned under sub-section (5), the Board shall proceed to reconsider the estimate with reference to such remarks and shall furnish such additional information as the Central
Government may call for and shall, if necessary, modify or alter the estimate and resubmit it to the Central Government.

(7) The Central Government shall sanction the estimate with or without modifications.

(8) Where any such estimate is not sanctioned by the Central
Government before the commencement of the financial year to which it relates, the Central Government may authorise the Board to incur such expenditure as may be necessary in the opinion of the Central
Government until such time as the approval of the estimate by the
Central Government is communicated to the Board.

99.Preparation of supplemental estimate.

99. Preparation of supplemental estimate. A Board may in the course of any year for which an estimate has been sanctioned by the
Central Government cause one or more supplemental estimates for the residue of such year to be prepared, and the provisions of section 98.shall, so far as may be, apply to such estimate as if it were an original annual estimate.

100.

Re-appropriation of amounts in estimate.

100. Re-appropriation of amounts in estimate. Subject to any directions which the Central Government may give in this behalf, any sum of money or part thereof of which the expenditure has been authorised in an estimate for the time being in force sanctioned by the Central Government and which has not been so spent, may at any time be reappropriated by the Board to meet any excess in any other expenditure authorised in the said estimate:

686.Provided that no such reappropriation shall be made from one major head of expenditure to another such head without the previous sanction of the Central Government.

101.Adherence to estimate except in emergency.

101. Adherence to estimate except in emergency. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 100, no sum exceeding such amount as the
Central Government may fix in this behalf shall, save in cases of pressing emergency, be expended by, or on behalf of, any Board unless such sum is included in some estimate of the Board at the time in force which has been finally sanctioned by the Central Government.

(2) If any sum exceeding such limit as may have been fixed in this behalf under sub-section (1) is so expended by any Board on a pressing emergency, the circumstances shall be forthwith reported by the Chairman to the Central Government, together with an explanation of the way in which it is proposed by the Board to cover such extra expenditure.

102.Accounts and audit.

102. Accounts and audit. (1) A Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare the annual statement of accounts including the balance-sheet in such form as may be specified by the Central Government in consultation with the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

1*[(2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited–

(i) once in every year; and

(ii) if so required by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, concurrently with the compilation of such accounts, by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or such other persons as may be appointed by him in this behalf and any amount payable to him by the Board in respect of such audit shall be debitable to the general account of the Board.]

(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of a
Board shall have the same rights, privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of
India has in connection with the audit of Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books of accounts, connected vouchers and other documents of the Board.

103.Publication of audit report.

103. Publication of audit report. (1) Within fourteen days after the audit and examination of the accounts of a Board have been completed, the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India shall forward copies of the audit report to the Central Government and to the Board.
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 31, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f.
1.2.1975).

687.(2) The Central Government shall cause every audit report to be laid for not less than thirty days before each House of Parliament as soon as may be after such report is received by that Government.

104.Board to remedy defects and irregularities pointed out in auditreport.

104. Board to remedy defects and irregularities pointed out in audit report. Every Board shall forthwith take into consideration any defects or irregularities that may be pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India in the audit report on the income and expenditure of the Board and shall take such action thereon as the
Board may think fit and shall also send a report of the action so taken to the Central Government.

105.Central Government to decide difference between Board and auditors.

105. Central Government to decide difference between Board and auditors. If there is a difference of opinion between any Board and the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India on any point included in the audit report, and the Board is unable to accept and implement the recommendations, if any, made by him on such point, the matter shall forthwith be referred to the Central Government which shall pass final orders thereon and the Board shall be bound to give effect to such orders.

CHAPTER IXSUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

106.Administration report.

106. Administration report. As soon as may be after the first day of April in every year and not later than such date as may be fixed in this behalf by the Central Government, every Board shall submit to the
Central Government a detailed report of the administration of the port during the preceding year ending on the thirty-first day of March, in such form as the Central Government may direct.

107.Submission of statements of income and expenditure to CentralGovernment.

107. Submission of statements of income and expenditure to
Central Government. (1) Every Board shall annually, or oftener if directed by the Central Government so to do, submit statements of its income and expenditure in such form and at such time as that
Government may direct.

(2) A copy of all such statements shall be open to the inspection of the public at the office of the Board during office hours on payment of such fee for each inspection as may from time to time be fixed by the Board.

108.Power of Central Government to order survey or examination of works ofBoard.

108. Power of Central Government to order survey or examination of works of Board. The Central Government may, at any time, order a local survey or examination of any works of a Board, or the intended site

688.thereof and the cost of such survey and examination shall be borne and paid by the Board from and out of the moneys credited to the general account of the port.

109.Power of Central Government to restore or complete works at the costof Board.

109. Power of Central Government to restore or complete works at the cost of Board. If, at any time, any Board–

(a) allows any work or appliance constructed or provided by, or vested in, the Board to fall into disrepair; or

(b) does not, within a reasonable time, complete any work commenced by the Board or included in any estimate sanctioned by the Central Government; or

(c) does not, after due notice in writing, proceed to carry out effectually any work or repair or to provide any appliance which is necessary in the opinion of the
Central Government for the purposes of this Act,

the Central Government may cause such work to be restored or completed or carried out, or such repairs to be carried out or such appliance to be provided, and the cost of any such restoration, completion, construction, repair or provision shall be paid by the Board from and out of the moneys credited to the general account of the port.

110.Power of Central Government to supersede Board.

110. Power of Central Government to supersede Board. (1) If, at any time, the Central Government is of opinion–

(a) that on account of a grave emergency, any Board is unable to perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law, or

(b) that the Board has persistently made default in the performance of the duties imposed upon it by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law and as a result of such default, the financial position of the
Board or the administration of the port has greatly deteriorated,

the Central Government, may, by notification in the Official Gazette supersede the Board for such period, not exceeding six months at a time, as may be specified in the notification:

Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-
section for the reasons mentioned in clause (b), the Central
Government shall give a reasonable time of not less than three months to the Board to show cause why it should not be superseded and shall consider the explanations and objections, if any, of the Board.

689.(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1)
superseding the Board,–

(a) all the Trustees shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such Trustees;

(b) all the powers and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act or of any other law, be exercised or performed by or on behalf of the Board, shall until the Board is reconstituted under clause (b)
or clause (c) of sub-section (3) be exercised and performed by such person or persons as the Central
Government may direct;

(c) all property vested in the Board shall, until the Board is reconstituted under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-
section (3), vest in the Central Government.

(3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government may–

(a) extend the period of supersession for such further term, not exceeding six months, as it may consider necessary, or

(b) reconstitute the Board by fresh appointment and fresh election, and in such case, any persons who vacated their offices under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed disqualified for appointment or election, as the case may be, or

(c) reconstitute the Board by appointment only for such period as it may consider necessary and in such a case, the persons who vacated their offices under clause (a)
of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed disqualified for such appointment merely because they were Trustees when the Board was superseded:

Provided that the Central Government may, at any time before the expiration of the period of supersession, whether as originally specified under sub-section (1) or as extended under this sub-section, take action under clause (b) or clause (c) of this sub-section.

(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity

111.Power of Central Government to issue directions to Board.

111. Power of Central Government to issue directions to Board.
(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, every Board shall, in the discharge of its functions under

690

this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy as the
Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time:

Provided that the Board shall be given opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section.
3.(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.

CHAPTER XPENALTIES

112. Persons employed under this Act to be public servants for certain purposes. Every person employed by a Board under this Act shall, for the purposes of sections 161 to 171 (both inclusive), 184,
185 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) and for the purposes of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (2 of 1947) be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the said Code.

113.Penalty for contravention of sections 37,38,40 and 41.113. Penalty for contravention of sections 37,38,40 and 41.Whoever contravenes the provisions of any order issued under section
37 or section 38 or section 41 or fails to comply with any condition imposed under section 40 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1*[ten thousand rupees], and where the contravention or failure is a continuing one, with further fine which may extend to
1*[one thousand rupees] for every day after the first during which such contravention or failure continues.

114.Penalty for setting up wharves, quays, etc., without permission.

114. Penalty for setting up wharves, quays, etc., without permission. Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 46.shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1*[ten thousand rupees] for the first contravention, and with a further fine which may extend to 2*[one thousand rupees] for every day after the first during which the contravention continues.

115.Penalty for evading rates, etc.

115. Penalty for evading rates, etc. Any person who, with the intention of evading payment of the rates lawfully due, in respect of any goods or vessel carrying any goods, to the Board–

(a) understates or incorrectly gives the weight, quantity, value or description of such goods or the tonnage of such vessel in any document presented to any employee of the Board for the purpose of enabling him to determine such rates; or

(b) removes or attempts to remove or abets the removal of such goods or such vessel;
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 16, for “one thousand rupees” (w.e.f.
31.5.1982).
2. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).

3. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for “one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).

691.shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1*[ten times] the amount of rates so due subject to a minimum of 2*[five hundred rupees].

116.Recovery of value of damage to property of Board.

116. Recovery of value of damage to property of Board. If, through the negligence of any person having the guidance or command of any vessel, or of any of the mariners or persons employed on such vessel, any damage is caused to any dock, wharf, quay, mooring, stage, jetty, pier or other work in the possession of any Board 3*[or any movable property belonging to any Board] the amount of such damage shall, on the application of the Board be recoverable, together with the cost of such recovery, by distress and sale, under a Magistrates warrant, of a sufficient portion of the boats, masts, spares, ropes, cables, anchors or stores belonging to such vessel:

Provided that no Magistrate shall issue such a warrant until the master of the vessel has been duly summoned to appear before him and, if he appears, until he has been heard; and provided also that no such warrant shall issue if the vessel was at the time under the orders of a duly authorised employee of the Board and the damage caused was attributable to the order, act or improper omission of such employee.

117.Other offences.

117. Other offences. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule, regulation or order made thereunder, for the contravention of which no penalty is expressly provided thereunder, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to
4*[two thousand rupees].

117A

Person interested in contracts, etc., with the Board to be deemed tohave committed an offence under section 168 of the Indian Penal Code.

5*[117A. Person interested in contracts, etc., with the Board to be deemed to have committed an offence under section 168 of the Indian
Penal Code. Any person who, being a Trustee or an employee of the
Board, acquires, directly or indirectly, any share or interest in any contract or employment with, by or on behalf of, any Board, shall be deemed to have committed an offence under section 168 of the Indian
Penal Code:

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a person who is deemed not to have a share or interest in any contract or employment under the proviso to clause (d) of section 6].

118.Cognizance of offences.

118. Cognizance of offences. No court inferior to that of a
6*[Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate of the first class]
shall try any offence punishable under this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder.

119.Offences by companies.

119. Offences by companies. (1) If the person committing an offence under this Act is a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to such punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
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1. Subs. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 18, for “twice” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).
2. Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for “fifty rupees” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982)
3. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 32 (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
4. subs. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 19, for ” two hundred rupees” (w.e.f.
31.5.1982).
5. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
6. Subs. by s. 34, ibid., for “magistarte of the first class” (w.e.f.
1.2.1975).

692.(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or that the commission of the offence is attributable to any negligence on the part of, any director, manager, secretary, or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary, or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Explanation.-For the purposes of this section,–

(a) “company” means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and

(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

CHAPTER XIMISCELLANEOUS

120. Limitation of proceedings in respect of things done under the Act. No suit or other proceeding shall be commenced against a
Board or any member or employee thereof for anything done, or purporting to have been done, in pursuance of this Act until the expiration of one month after notice in writing has been given to the
Board or him stating the cause of action, or after six months after the accrual of the cause of action.

121.Protection of acts done in good faith.

121. Protection of acts done in good faith. No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against a Board or any member or employee thereof in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder, or for any damage sustained by any vessel in consequence of any defect in any of the moorings, hawsers or other things belonging to or under the control of the Board.

122.Power of Central Government to make rules.

122. Power of Central Government to make rules. (1) The Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for all or any of the following purposes, namely:–

(a) the times and places of the meetings of a Board and the procedure to be followed for the transaction of business at such meetings;

(b) the fees and allowances payable to the members of a
Board or of its committees;

693.(c) any other matter in respect of which rules may be made by the Central Government.

(2) The power to make rules under this section is subject to the condition of the rules being made after previous publication.

(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if before the expiry of the session 1*[immediately following the session] or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

123.General power of Board to make regulations.

123. General power of Board to make regulations. Without prejudice to any power to make regulations contained elsewhere in this
Act, a Board may make regulations consistent with this Act for all or any of the following purposes, namely:–

(a) for the times and places of the meetings of its committees and for the procedure to be followed for the transaction of business at such meetings;

(b) for the form and manner in which contracts shall be made by the Board;

(c) for the form of receipt to be given under sub-section
(2) of section 42;

(d) for the period within which notice may be given under sub-section (2) of section 43;

(e) for the guidance of persons employed by the Board under this Act;

3*[(f) for the safe, efficient and convenient use, management and control of the docks, wharves, quays, jetties, railways, tramways, buildings and other works constructed or acquired by, or vested in, the Board, or of any land or foreshore acquired by, or vested in, the
Board under this Act];

(g) for the reception, porterage, storage and removal of goods brought within the premises of the Board, for the exclusive conduct of these operations by the Board or persons employed by the Board; and for declaring the procedure to be followed for taking charge of goods which may
———————————————————————-
1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 35, for “in which it is so laid”
(w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
2. Subs. by s. 36, ibid., for cl. (f).

694.have been damaged before landing, or may be alleged to have been so damaged;

(h) for keeping clean the port, river or basins or the bank of the river and the works of the Board, and for preventing filth or rubbish being thrown therein or thereon;

(i) for the mode of payment of rates leviable by the Board under this Act;

(j) for regulating, declaring and defining the docks, wharves, quays, jetties, stages and piers vested in the
Board on which goods shall be landed from vessels and shipped on board vessels;

(k) for regulating the manner in which, and the conditions under which, the loading and unloading of all vessels within the port or port approaches shall be carried out;

(l) for regulating the lighterage of cargo between ships or between ships and shore or between shore and ships;

(m) for the exclusion from the premises of the Board of disorderly or other undesirable persons and of trespassers;

(n) for ensuring the safety of the port;

(o) generally, for the efficient and proper administration of the port.

124.Provisions with respect to regulations.

124. Provisions with respect to regulations. (1) No regulation made by the Board under this Act 1*[other than a regulation made under sub-section (2) of section 17] shall have effect until it has been approved by the Central Government and until such approval has been published in the Official Gazette.

(2) No such regulation 2*[other than a regulation made under section 28,] shall be approved by the Central Government until the same has been published by the Board for two weeks successively in the
Official Gazette and until fourteen days have expired from the date on which the same had been first published in that Gazette.

(3) Any regulation made under this Act other than a regulation made under section 28 may provide that a breach thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 3*[two thousand rupees] and where the breach is a continuing one, with further fine which may extend to 4*[five hundred rupees] for every day after the first during which such breach continues.

2*[(4) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expirey of the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the regulation or both Houses agree that the regulation should not be made, the regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that regulation].

125.Power of Central Government to direct regulations to be made or tomake regulations.

125. Power of Central Government to direct regulations to be made or to make regulations. (1) Whenever the Central Government considers necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by order in writing together
———————————————————————-
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 37 (w.e.f. 1.2.1975).
2. Ins. by Act 17 of 1982, s. 20 (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).
3. Subs. by s. 20, ibid., for “two hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982)
4. Subs. by s. 20, ibid., for “fifty rupees” (w.e.f. 31.5.1982).

695.with a statement of reasons therefor, direct any Board to make any regulations for all or any of the matters specified in section 28 or section 76 or section 123 or to amend any regulations, within such period as the Central Government may specify in this behalf:

Provided that the Central Government may extend the period specified by it by such period or periods as it may consider necessary.

(2) If any Board, against whom a direction is issued by the
Central Government under sub-section (1), fails or neglects to comply with such direction within the period allowed under sub-section (1), that Government may make the regulations or amend the regulations, as the case may be, either in the form specified in the direction or with such modifications thereof as the Central Government may think fit:

Provided that before so making or amending the regulations the
Central Government shall consider any objection or suggestion made by the Board within the said period.

(3) Where in pursuance of sub-section (2), any regulations have been made or amended, the regulations so made or amended shall be published by the Central Government in the Official Gazette and shall thereupon have effect accordingly.

126.Power of Central Government to make first regulations.

126. Power of Central Government to make first regulations.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the first regulations under this Act shall be made by the Central Government and shall have effect on being published in the Official Gazette.

127.Posting of certain regulations, etc.

127. Posting of certain regulations, etc. The text of the regulations made under clauses (e) to (n) of section 123 and the scale of rates together with a statement of conditions framed by any Board under Chapter VI shall be prominently posted by the Board in English, in Hindi and in the regional language on special boards to be maintained for the purpose at the wharves, docks, piers and other convenient places on the premises of the Board.

128.Saving of right of Central Government and Municipalities to usewharves, etc., for collecting duties and of power of Customs Officers.

128. Saving of right of Central Government and Municipalities to use wharves, etc., for collecting duties and of power of Customs
Officers. Nothing in this Act shall affect–

(1) the right of the Central Government to collect customs duties or of any municipality to collect town duties at any dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty or pier in the possession of a Board, or

(2) any power or authority vested in the customs authorities under any law for the time being in force.

696.129.Application of certain provisions of the Act to aircraft.

129. Application of certain provisions of the Act to aircraft.
The provisions of sections 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 49, 50, 64,
65, 115, 121, 123 and 124 shall apply in relation to all aircraft making use of any port while on water as they apply in relation to vessels.

130.

Power to evict certain persons from the premises of Board.

130. Power to evict certain persons from the premises of Board.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, if a Board in exercise of the powers conferred on it by regulations made under this Act cancel the allotment of any premises made to any employee of the Board, the Board may, by notice in writing, order such allottee or any other person who may be in occupation of the whole or any part of the premises to surrender or deliver possession thereof to the Board or a person appointed by the
Board in that behalf within such period as may be specified in the notice.

Explanation.–For the purposes of this section, “premises” means any building or part of a building and includes–

(i) the gardens, grounds and out-houses, if any, appertaining to such building or part of a building;

(ii) any fittings affixed to such building or part of a building for the more beneficial enjoyment thereof; and

(iii) any furniture, books or other things belonging to the
Board and found in such building or part of a building.

(2) If any allottee or other person refuses or fails to comply with an order made under sub-section (1), any magistrate of the first class may, on application made by or on behalf of the Board, order any police officer, with proper assistance, to enter into the premises and evict any person from, and take possession of, the premises and to deliver the same to the Board or a person appointed by the Board in that behalf and the police officer may, for the purpose, use such force as may be necessary.

(3) Any such notice as is referred to in sub-section (1) may be served–

(a) by delivering or tendering it to the allottee or any other person who may be in occupation of the whole or any part of the premises, or

(b) if it cannot be so delivered or tendered, by affixing it on the outer door or some other conspicuous part of the premises, or

(c) by registered post.

697.131.Alternative remedy by suit.

131. Alternative remedy by suit. Without prejudice to any other action that may be taken under this Act, a Board may recover by suit any rates, damages, expenses, costs, or in the case of sale the balance thereof, when the proceeds of sale are insufficient, or any penalties payable to, or recoverable by, the Board under this Act or under any regulations made in pursuance thereof.

132.Requirements as to publication of notifications, orders, etc., in theOfficial
Gazette.

132. Requirements as to publication of notifications, orders, etc., in the Official Gazette. (1) Any requirement in this Act that a notification, order, rule or regulation issued or made by a Board or by the Central Government shall be published in the Official Gazette, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Act, be construed as a requirement that the notification, order, rule or regulation shall–

(a) where it is issued or made by the Board, be published in the Official Gazette of the State in which the port is situated, and

(b) where it is issued or made by the Central Government, be published in the Gazette of India.

(2) Any notification, order, rule or regulation issued or made by the Central Government shall, for general information, be also republished in the Official Gazette of the State in which the port is situated.

133.Repeal.

133. Repeal. (1) On the application of this Act to the port of
Kandla, the Bombay Landing and Wharfage Fees Act, 1882 [Bombay Act of
1882] shall cease to have force in relation to that port.

(2) On the application of this Act to the ports of Cochin and
Vishakhapatnam, the Madras Outputs Landing and Shipping Fees Act, 1885.(Madras Act 3 of 1885) shall cease to have force in relation to those ports.

1*[(2A) On the application of this Act to the port of Bombay, the
Bombay Port Trust Act, 1879, (Bombay Act 6 of 1879) except the provisions thereof relating to municipal assessment of the properties of the port of Bombay and matters connected therewith, shall cease to have force in relation to that port.

(2B) On the application of this Act to the port of Calcutta, the
Calcutta Port Act, 1890, (Bengal Act 3 of 1890) except the provisions thereof relating to municipal assessment of the properties of the port of Calcutta and matters connected therewith, shall cease to have force in relation to that port.

(2C) On the application of this Act to the port of Madras, the
Madras Port Trust Act, 1905, (Madras Act 2 of 1905) shall cease to have force in relation to that port.

(2D) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (2A),
(2B) and (2C),-

(a) every Trustee of the Board of Trustees of the port of
Bombay or Madras holding office as such immediately before the application of this Act to the port of Bombay or Madras, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have been appointed or elected as such under this Act and shall continue to hold such office after such application until a Board of Trustees in respect of that port is constituted under the provisions of this Act;

(b) every Commissioner of the port of Calcutta holding office as such immediately before the application of this Act to that port shall be deemed to have been appointed or elected as a
Trustee under the provisions of this Act and shall continue to hold such office after such application until a Board of Trustees in respect of that port is constituted under the provisions of this Act;

(c) anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken (including any rule, regulation, bye-law, notification, order or notice made or issued or any resolution passed or any appointment or declaration made or any licence, permission or exemption granted or any rates, charges or duties levied or any penalty or fine imposed) under the Acts referred to in sub-sections (2A), (2B) and (2C) shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this
Act.

(2E) Upon the cesser of operation of the provisions of the Acts referred to in sub-section (2A), (2B) and (2C), the provisions of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), shall apply as if the provisions first-mentioned were provisions contained in a
Central Act and such cesser of operation were a repeal; and the mention of particular matters in sub-section (2D) shall not be held to prejudice or affect the general application of the said section 6 with regard to the effect of repeals].”

(3) If immediately before the application of this Act to any other port, there is in force in that port any law which corresponds to this Act or to any provision thereof, that corresponding law shall, on such application, cease to have force in relation to that port
2*[and section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, shall apply as if such corresponding law were a Central Act and such cesser of operation were a repeal].

134.Power to remove difficulties.

134. Power to remove difficulties. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, particularly in relation to the transition from the enactments repealed by this Act to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by general or special order, do anything not inconsistent with such provisions which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty:

3*[Provided that no such order shall be made in respect of a port alter the expiry of a period of two years from the appointed day.]
———————————————————————-
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1974, s. 38 (w.e.f. 1-2-1975).
2. Ins. by Act 17 of 1978, s. 3.3. Added by Act 29 of 1974, s. 39 (w.e.f. 1-2-1975).