INDIA: DICHOTOMY EMBEDDED IN REFORMS

COMMENT: India has long faced criticism of the tight central control exercised over its 12 so-called Major Ports but now this control has been eased by the recently passed Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. The stated rationale for this, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is that the previous Major Ports Trust Act of 1963 was restrictive and eff ectively curtailed the ports’ ability to act eff ectively in a highly competitive environment.