The Hindu Business Line : State Govt to curb illegal activities at Kochi port

The State Government has decided to take stringent action against unlawful collection of money from trailers and trucks at the Kochi port in a bid to curb illegal activities at the port.

A decision to this effect was taken at an all-party meeting convened by the State Industries and Labour Ministers with the port management, port users and trade unions.

Briefing presspersons after the meeting, the Industries Minister, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said that it was decided to stop forthwith all illegal collections from vehicles plying in the port area from Tuesday.

It was also decided to take legal action against those who indulged in illegal collection and the State Government will extend all necessary help through the Industries, Labour and Law enforcement agencies to enforce law and order in Willingdon Island.

The Government, according to the Minister, is of the view that these sort of illegal collections is shameful not only to the port but also to the entire State as it will send wrong signals.

The Government has also instructed the Customs House Agents not to give any illegal money by name kettu kooli to anybody and henceforth there will not be any hindrance to trailers coming from other States. Contractors have every right to hire any lorry for the movement of cargo to and from the port, he added.

Mr P.K. Gurudasan, State Labour Minister, said that the Government would formulate a welfare scheme for the benefit of workers in the port in consultation with the Centre.

WELFARE SCHEME

It was also proposed to open an office of the Kerala Head Load Workers Welfare Board in the Island and all labour bookings should be done through the Board so that money collected in the name of workers are spent in the welfare of workers and not pocketed by middlemen. All existing casual head load workers would be asked to register with the Board.

It may be recalled that the port management had taken several measures to contain the illegal collections without much success. The port authorities have also filed police complaints in this regard and represented the matter with the Government. Based on these complaints, the Government convened the meeting with trade unions, port users etc.

It is pointed out that illegal collections have resulted in high handling costs in the port and led to diversion of cargo.

When major ports have recorded a growth rate of 20-30 per cent with annual cargo throughput, the productivity of the port has remained stagnant over the past several years.

The diversion of cargo from the port has resulted in considerable loss of revenue to the port as well as the State Government and loss of job opportunities to people.