Tirupur: Following a recent instance of export consignment of garment pieces being pilfered from lorries en route from Tirupur to shipping ports like Thoothukudi, the garment industry here has called upon exporters to transport their goods through trucks or other commercial vehicles fitted with GPS facility to avoid such thefts.
Mr. Raja M Shanmugham, president of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), said here on Tuesday, that four of their members who had dispatched their export consignments through lorries to Thoothukudi port for exports from there, were shocked to learn that the vehicle was stopped en route at Pandalkudi near Virdhunagar recently.
He said as per information received by TEA, a 'notorious gang' had opened the carton boxes and randomly took away garment pieces. The theft en route was known to the garment exporters here only after a thorough inspection was carried out by the Customs at Thoothukudi port, Mr Shanmugham said, adding, an FIR had been lodged and one of the accused arrested by the police.
According to him, the lorry drivers were also hand in glove with culprits and they were tipped to the tune of Rs 5,000 for stoppage of lorry near the place of their choice. These sort of pilfering might be happening for quite some time now, but only it has come to the fore, said Raja Shanmugham.
As the consequences from the buyers end would be severe, including reputation and loss of future orders, he has requested TEA members to be cautious. "They should arrange to send the goods only through GPS-fitted vehicles, mainly to track the vehicle perfectly. Exporters should also ensure to send the goods through transporters with better track record and also to ensure that, booking office is responsible for the goods," added the TEA chief.
