The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Seizure of rice stocks for verification irks exporters

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Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Seizure of rice stocks for verification irks exporters

Correspondent

Opening of check post near port mooted

Kakinada: Shipping traders have expressed concern over the action of the Civil Supplies authorities in seizure of huge quantity of rice stocks in the godowns in the port area here for verification whether it is export rice or the Food-for-work variety.

They are also worried over the delay in releasing the stocks as it is delaying rice shipments.

“We are not supporting the guilty. But the exporter should not be harassed by withholding the stocks, as it would delay the rice shipments leading to payment of demurrage. We want the authorities to expedite the process of stock verification so that the seized rice is released for shipment,” says Dantu Suryarao, chairman of the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce.

He said the Government should trace the origin of the rice seized and initiate action against the erring but not the exporter.

Sai Kale, a leading clearing and forwarding agent and representative of Shivnath Rai Harnaraian (India) Ltd, questioned the propriety of seizure of the huge quantity of rice meant for export on the pretext of verification.

“Exporters would buy the rice stocks through millers and other agents and did not have any role in the alleged mixing of Food-for-work rice,” he said.

Plea to officials

While appealing to the authorities to release the seized stocks early to avoid delay in shipment, Mr. Sai Kale suggested that the Government open a check-post near the port to screen thoroughly all rice stocks making their way to the port for export.

Once the verified stocks were stored in godowns, the official should treat them as genuine and should not touch them to ensure that shipments were not delayed, he said.

“If exporters are harassed, the port would lose the credibility and the exports might be shifted to other ports,” he says.

Meanwhile S K Valecha, Director, SH India Ltd, also clarified that they purchased the rice for exports against bona fide valid bills and all payment made to the brokers by bank drafts.

He appealed to the authorities to release the seized stocks immediately to avoid shipment delay and enable them to fulfil contractual obligation.

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