The Goa government is examining a proposal to set up a state maritime board to attract private capital and participation to boost maritime activities on the lines of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

This was stated by Ports Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar in a written reply to Ms Victoria Fernandes (Congress). He said the government was likely to study the respective boards before taking a final decision.

Apart from attracting private capital and participation, such board would facilitate privatisation of ports, fully or partly, in due course if necessary. The board under government set up could not take decisions.

The government would examine all aspects before taking any decision in this regard, he added.

UNI