Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) was granted respite by Calcutta High Court (HC) which allowed it to move ahead with the tendering process to select stevedoring agent for Haldia Dock that aims to boost revenue generation for the port.
The tender for shore handling services for the dry bulk cargo handling at Haldia was on hold after the HC order in August had restrained the port from proceeding further with the tendering process.
The Calcutta HC division bench dated September four order had said the KoPT board would be free to proceed with the already initiated tender process making necessary amendments to the terms and conditions and taking other steps including extension of time or to initiate fresh tender process.
"But these all shall not entitle the appellants to debar the respondents (read existing cargo handlers) from undertaking and performing the services they have been performing in the manner they are performing them today till the disposal of the writ petition," the division bench comprising Justice Jayanta Kumar Biswas and Justice Ishan Chandra Das had said.
Ripley & Co Stevedoring and a few other cargo handlers had moved court against the KoPT tender of July 21 that sought to select stevedoring agent for Haldia docks who would pay the highest royalty based on bidding process.
Kolkata, India: KoPT is the first major port in the country to introduce royalty based stevedoring licensing policy based on Shipping ministry direction.
The ministry took steps after allegations that KoPT had lost hundreds of crores of rupees over years by not levying any charge or royalty from certain stevedoring services offered by private agents in Haldia.
KoPT chairman could not be reached for his reaction. But, KoPT spokesperson said port will now move ahead in accordance to the order.
