Stir Leads To Wheat Pile-Up At Jnpt

A huge quantity of imported wheat remains uncleared at the Nhava Sheva port following a `go-slow policy adopted by one of the labour unions.

According to information available, two vessels, namely SS Rani Padmini carrying over 61,000 tonnes of wheat from Australia and SS Dorick Herald carrying more than 60,000 tonnes from Canada, have already arrived at Nhava Sheva port. While the former has already got a berth and is awaiting clearance of wheat, the latter is anchored in mid-sea awaiting a berth.

The modernised port's goods handling capacity, which includes unloading, packing in gunny bags and despatches by rail road, is more than 10,000 tonnes a day. This has come down drastically to about 1,500/2,000 tonnes a day due to labour problems.

Only one berth has been allotted for the handling of foodgrains at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) which is quite insufficient. The situation is likely to lead to high demurrage charges.

There is an opinion that if it rains now, the entire quantity of wheat will deteriorate, and will not be suitable for human consumption. On the other hand, most of the ration shops/fair price shops are running out of wheat stocks.

There are two labour unions at Nhava Sheva port, namely Akhil Bhartiya Mathadi and General Kamgar Union under the leadership of Baburao Ramiste and Dock Workers Union led by Manohar Kotwal.

The Dock Workers Union has adopted a 'go-slow' policy to pressurise the management for their various demands like weekly off, variable dearness allowance (VDA) and piecemeal rate payment.