The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rice exports: fresh order puts authorities in a fix

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rice exports: fresh order puts authorities in a fix

Correspondent

Ministry allows shipment of stocks stored only in port godowns

Stocks lying in the godowns outside the port
‘Government order further complicates the issue’

Kakinada: The row over ban on rice exports took a turn on Thursday with the Union Commerce Ministry issuing a notification allowing export of rice that is stocked in the port godowns till October 10. In fact it is a welcome decision but the hitch arose in certification of the rice stocks in the godowns.

Unlike other major ports, Kakinada anchorage, a minor port under the control of the State government, is not having huge godowns but provided with transit sheds. Their total storage space is hardly 50,000 tonnes and meant for storage of cargo for a shorter period while in transit.

Main hitch

The shipping trade is depending upon the number of private godowns in and around Kakinada and most of the rice stocks worth Rs. 400 crores are lying in the godowns outside the port but in the city limits.

The fresh notification clearly says that the rice stocked in the port godowns could be allowed for shipment provided they are certified by the port authorities. This condition posed as the main hitch now with the port authorities in a dilemma on how to certify the stocks outside the port godowns. The shipping trade is also in a fix.

But they maintain, quoting the recent inspection report of the customs authorities, that all the cargo stocked in the godowns situated in and around the port area should be treated as stored in the port and the provisions of the export laws could be made applicable.

“The government instead of solving the issue getting it further complicated by its orders. Before issuing a notification they should have taken the ground realties. It is the oldest but improvised and labour oriented port.

The government should have made a specific reference to the port situation and issue suitable instructions. Now it depends upon the interpretation of the customs commissioner at Visakhapatnam,” lamented Y. Keshav Gopal, a leading shipping agent and the chief of Ms. Collins, one of the rice exporting agency.

He hoped that the ticklish issue would be resolved amicably by the customs and the State port authorities during their joint meeting slated for Friday.

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