This would, in fact, be an added item in the agenda in a hurriedly called board meeting by new KPT chairman Praveen Agarwal as the earlier board meeting fixed last month had to be cancelled because of sudden administrative changes ordered at the top level by the Ministry of Shipping.

"Yes, this would be one of the items in the board meeting tomorrow as per our understanding with the chamber. Our chairman has given his assurances in writing. The board's resolution would be sent to the Ministry for ratification. We have also sought co-operation for preparing a comprehensive proposal for the Ministry," KPT secretary Balendu Tewari said on Monday.

However, Tewari declined to comment as to whether the excess in the mortgage fee already charged by the KPT would be refunded to the lease holders as demanded by the chamber in its last letter sent to the chairman after their meeting on Sunday evening. "I have not seen the letter. I cannot comment on it. But, we are positive on other matters as our chairman was present in all the meetings with them in the past few days," he said.

The other land-related issues the chamber had taken up with the Port Trust includes turning the present lease-hold land into free-hold land, and the renewal of salt pan leases.

Elsewhere, the KPT chairman has in a letter signed March 2 said that the lease-hold land conversion would be examined within the land policy and a government decision sought in this regard, but there will be no evacuation of any lessees till a final decision is taken by the government as well as the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP).