Gwadar Port Authority to be brought into tax net: Cabinet approves revised bill

The Cabinet has decided to bring the recently re-constituted Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) into the tax net, official sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday. While giving approval of the revised bill for GPA''s new corporate structure.
The Cabinet in its meeting on June 27 decided that the Board of Directors of the Authority would consist of 15 members, including chairman, with at least four representatives from Balochistan, sources said.
They said that the Prime Minister has also been authorised to appoint chairman and members of the Board with their term in office after review by the Cabinet Division. The Authority would perform additional functions of development of the port on the pattern of Singapore and Dubai Ports, etc.
The existing employees of Gwadar Port Implementation Authority (GPIA) would be relieved/terminated on establishment of the Authority and only those employees of GPA established under the Ordinance would stand transferred to the Authority whose services are essential.
The Authority may, with ex post facto approval of the government in writing, raise funds for working capital by issuing bonds and debentures carrying interest at such rates as may be approved by the government.
According to the revised draft Bill, the port would be pollution-free and without discharge of solid and liquid wastes, oily noxious, radioactive and hazardous substances, bilge discharge from the tankers and vessels, residues and mixtures containing noxious solid and liquid waste, de-ballasting of unwashed cargo tanks and line washing cargo tanks and line washing garbage or other substances as may be specified by the Board of the Authority.
Whosoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section 2 of the bill would be liable to the penalty not exceeding Rs 10 million for each contravention in addition to the charge for clearing of the Gwadar port and removal of pollution therefrom.
The Authority has also been empowered to outsource all operational functions to any contractor or concessionaire, with the approval of the federal government, in which case powers of Authority as exercised under section 6(2)(j) relating to security arrangements within the harbour and section 6(3) to section 17 as related to tolls, dues, charge etc, would rest with the contractor and/or concessionaire, as the may be.
When delivery of goods is not claimed by the owner at the expiry of one month from the date on which those are placed in the custody of the Authority, it would cause a notice to be served upon the owner requiring him to remove the goods provided that all rates and charges in respect of such goods have been duly paid, such notice would not be served till the expiration of two months from the said date.
However, if the Master of any vessel in respect of which any tolls, rates, dues, charges or penalties would be payable under this Act or any rules, regulations and bye-laws made thereunder, refuses or neglects to pay the fine or dues on demand, it would be lawful for the Authority to distrain or arrest such vessel and the tackle, apparel or furniture or other belongings thereto, or any part thereof and distrain the same until the due amount is paid.