Context: Union Minister of State for Shipping launched ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes - Ports).

Backgrounder:

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister had approved amendments in the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) in January,2018.
• The amendments in the MCA, envisaged constitution SAROD-PORTS as dispute resolution mechanism for PPP Projects in the Major Ports.

SAROD-Ports

• It is established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the following objectives:
  • Affordable and timely resolution of disputes in fair manner
  • Enrichment of Dispute Resolution Mechanism with the panel of technical experts as arbitrators.
  • SAROD-Ports consists members from Indian Ports Association (IPA) and Indian Private Ports and Terminals Association (IPTTA).

SAROD-Ports Benefits:

• It will become the pivotal mechanism of ummeed (hope), vishwas(trust) and nyaya (justice) in the Port sector of India.
• SAROD-Ports will resolve the disputes in fair and just manner while saving huge amount of legal expenditure and time.
• SAROD-Ports will inspire confidence in the private players and will ensure right kind of environment for our partners.
• It will promote ease of doing business in the maritime sector because of the fast, timely, cost effective and robust dispute resolution mechanism.
• SAROD-Ports will advise and assist in settlement of disputes through arbitrations in the maritime sector, including ports and shipping sector in Major Port Trusts, Non-major Ports, including private ports, jetties, terminals and harbours.
• It will also cover disputes between granting authority and Licensee/Concessionaire /Contractor and also disputes between Licensee/Concessionaire and their contractors arising out of and during the course of execution of various contracts.
• ‘SAROD-Ports’ is similar to provision available in Highway Sector in the form of SAROD-Roads constituted by NHAI.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1652979

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