Kochi: The state government has decided to step in to address the issues that threaten to cripple operations at Cochin port and has called a meeting of all stakeholders on July 2.
Government sources said the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) had written to the state government seeking its intervention to stop the unhealthy practices prevailing in the port, especially those related to exports. “It was pointed out that operations which should facilitate exports and imports are run by cartels which resort to unacceptable practices including charging exorbitant rates,” the sources said.
“Availability of containers and trailers at reasonable rates is critical to the operations at the port but there have been complaints that its providers act in a completely arbitrary manner, making export and import difficult in the port. This will not just affect the operations, but will damage the survival of the port,” the sources said.
Port officials, representatives of service providers, labour union leaders, steamer agents and shipping lines would be attending the meet.
P.K. Gurudasan and Elamaram Kareem, ministers in the former Left Democratic Front government, had camped at the port early in their tenure to ensure that the service providers, including labour unions, do not resort to extortion at the port.
“The ministers had then reminded labour unions that the port is a workplace that guarantees employment for long period and that it was their responsibility to ensure its smooth functioning,” a Port Trust source said. “It worked wonders in the attitude. We expect a similar impact this time, too.”
