Plan panel wants cess of Rs 250 per container

The Planning Commission wants the Centre to levy a cess of Rs 250 per container and Rs 5 per tonne on other cargo to raise funds for development of ports. In a presentation to the panel on infrastructure recently, the Planning Commission has estimated that cess could raise as much as Rs 300 crore per annum. However, it would provide only little support to development of ports sector which is estimated to cost Rs 50,000 crore.