Power to evict certain persons from premises of Board

Section 68 of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 deals with power to evict certain persons from premises of Board. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Board in exercise of the powers conferred on it by regulations made under this Act or by invoking the contractual remedies available to the Board may cancel the allotment of any premises made to any employee of the The Act came into force on 03 Nov 2021.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Board in exercise of the powers conferred on it by regulations made under this Act or by invoking the contractual remedies available to the Board may cancel the allotment of any premises made to any employee of the Board or any other person or evict an employee of the Board or any person in occupation of any port asset or premises or area in the port limits, by notice in writing, addressed to such allottee or employee or other person who may be in occupation or possession thereof in violation of the regulations specified or formulated by the Board:

Provided that such notice shall indicate the reasons for cancellation of allotment or eviction or removal along with the period within which the removal or eviction is sought and recovery of the sums of dues in arrears and also for the extended unauthorised use of such premises.

(2) If any allottee or employee or other person is aggrieved by the order made under sub-section (1), then the said allottee or employee or other person may appeal against the order with the compensation officer so appointed by the Board within thirty days from the receipt of the order under sub-section (1).

(3) If any allottee or employee or other person refuses or fails to comply with an order made under sub-section (1), then 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.

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

(a) by delivering or tendering it to the allottee or employee or any other person who may be in occupation or possession 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; or

(d) by publishing in the local newspaper having circulation in the area.

Explanation.-- For the purposes of this section, the expression premises means any land, building or part of a building which is part of port assets and includes

(i) areas such as canteens, 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.

Section 68, The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 (Act 1 of 2021).