Spearheading protests against the Kolkata Port Authorities (KoPT), Suvendu Adhikari, member of Parliament from Tamluk, has warned that the port’s move to support a private player at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) will lead to job loss of 10,000 labourers.
Since early this week, Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC) workers headed by Adhikari are continuing protests against the port authorities over the decision to give first priority to ABG Haldia Bulk Terminals (AHBT) for maximum utilisations of berth number 2 and 8 operated by the company.
“Favouring one private company will affect the operations of other berths and more than 10,000 labourers dependent on the port are under threat of job loss. It is not acceptable and we will not allow this,” Adhikari, who is also the chairman of Haldia Development Authority, told Business Standard.
Last week, the port authorities had reached an agreement with the HBT for following a High Court direction.
The deal said that all vessels carrying dry bulk cargo arriving at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) will be allocated to AHBT berths and if these berths are engaged, vessels will be allocated to other berths. However, KoPT authorities said that they are just implementing the court order at Haldia.
This happened after AHBT’s decision to suspend Haldia operations, which was running on an accumulated loss of Rs 45 crore.
Adhikari also demanded formation of Haldia Port Trust, giving independence from KoPT.
“About Rs 50,000 crore worth private investments are dependent on the existence of Haldia Dock. Hence, it should be a separate port trust with full financial and administrative independence from KoPT,” he added.
