Kandla trade bodies to go on indefinite strike

Trade and industry bodies in Kandla plan to go on an indefinite strike to protest against Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and shipping ministry for its apathetic attitude towards the various long-pending issues.

Industry sources believe that if the strike continues for one week, it would result in overall losses to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore, which include excise, custom duty, local taxes collection as well as business losses. KPT handles 70,000 tonnes of cargo everyday.

The trade bodies to go on strike include the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Exim Trade Associations and Port Users Associations.

The trade bodies have made representations regarding pending issues like mortgage fees, renewal of lease agreements, dredging, drop in container traffic, development and construction of new berth road and other infrastructure-related problems, underutilisation of berth and removal of monopoly for CFS operation outside the Kandla port.

Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry's president Parasmal Nahata told reporters that during a recent meeting of Exim Trade Associations and Port Users Associations, it was unanimously decided to start an agitation including indefinite port strike from March 3, 2008, to resolve the issues.

According to Nahata, trade bodies and industry have been suffering heavily due to delay in resolving pending issues.

GCCI secretary Vidhut Buch said despite several meetings and representations over a period of time the shipping ministry was not interested, it seems, in solving the problems.

Members said dredging activity had virtually stopped for the past one month. "In the absence of proper dredging, the draft has reduced by a metre," said Yogesh Mehta, convener of GCCI's port committee.

Kandla Port charges mortgage fee, which was raised from March 2003.