The Hindu Business Line : Call to exempt Kochi port from strike purview

`It has been our experience that once exim cargo or industry is diverted or migrated due to man-made problems, it is rather difficult to get them back.'

Kochi , June 25

Kerala Home Minister's recent statement that IT and tourism sectors might be exempted from hartals and general strikes has enthused the trade and industry here.

Various trade bodies in this commercial city have appealed to the State Government that Cochin Port operations also be included, considering the importance of exim trade from the State.

Mr Madan Pillai, President of the Cochin Steamer Agents Association, argues that uninterrupted functioning of the port is essential for the export / import trade and the spate of hartals, which shuts down all movement outside the Wharf area has been repeatedly sending out wrong signals outside.

TRADITIONAL LINK

He said that smooth operations of the port are directly linked to the health of traditional industries such as coir, cashew, tea, spices and seafood for which the export trade is a critical lifeline. Incidents that affect the working of the port and effect its future development, will adversely impact these industries and consequently the livelihood of workers who find employment directly or indirectly from these Industries.

The direct fallout of frequent work disruptions caused by hartals has been the diversion of a significant volume of cargo to other ports and these lost volumes can only be induced back to Kochi by sending out positive signals, he said.

CRIPPLING EFFECT

Mr Balagopala B. Pai, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that exemption of port operations from hartals needs a special consideration on account of the direct bearing of strikes on the economic activities in and around Kochi. The port's contribution to the State exchequer is quite significant and disruption of port services will put the exporters to suffer a lot in meeting the commitments of overseas buyers.

"It has been our experience that once exim cargo or industry is diverted or migrated due to man-made problems, it is rather difficult to get them back. In the overall interest of the State, it is necessary to ensure uninterrupted working of Cochin Port", Mr Pai said.

FOREX LOSS

Echoing similar views, Mr John K. Paul, President of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that crores of foreign exchange has been lost during hartals due to abrupt stoppage of work at the port and the government should understand the vital role played by the port for the economic development of the State.

Mr N. Sreekumar, President of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the port serves as the gateway to the widening industrial market of southwest India that handles a variety of traditional and non-traditional items of cargo.

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