Stakeholders slam PPT management

Charges of mismanagement, irregularities and nepotism in the running of the port have been levelled

Various stakeholders of Paradip Port Trust have levelled charges of mismanagement, irregularities and nepotism in the running of the port and demanded appointment of a permanent chairman to prevent possible labour unrest.

Chairman-in-charge PPT, M T Krishna Babu, however, refuted the allegations and said business or traffic at the port has not been affected.

Paradip Port Stevedores Association (PPSA), Dumper Owners' Association (DOA), Heavy Equipment Association (HEA), Paradip Port Workers Union (PPWA) and Paradip Industrial Workers Association (PIWA) have sought an appointment with Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari to apprise him of the problem. Association leaders at a press conference alleged that Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities have been promoting interest of a few private players in contravention of provisions of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 and cited the appointment of Seaways Shipping, an Andhra Pradesh based stevedores company, for cargo handling job to further their argument.

"Paradip Port, which was one of the best in the country in terms of cargo handling, is now witnessing sharp fall in cargo movement due to irregularities," PPSA President Mahimanada Mishra claimed.

Describing the situation as "alarming" and "posing threat" to the existence of Paradip Port, he stated only one ship is berthed in the entire port today whereas few months back, ships had a waiting time of up to 12 days to get a berth. President of Paradip Port Dumper Owners' Association B K Nayak said local transporters who had engaged their vehicles for the last four decades were now jobless with the port allowing importers, exporters and other port users to bring their own dumpers.

The decision to mechanise unloading of wagons has also caused resentment among labourers while restrictions on transportation have made an adverse impact on port operations, they claimed.

Refuting the allegations, Babu, who is also the chairman of Vizag Port Trust said, the port handled 8.7 per cent more cargo from April to August 15 this year compared to the corresponding period last year.