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Minor Ports Fast Becoming Hub Of Illegal Ore Exports |
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A few kilometres off Karwar, Belekeri today is the vestiges of what it was a year ago. The thriving port with fleets of bulk carriers waiting to load iron ore is no longer there. The state government-owned port, once a nerve centre of all illegal ore exports from Karnataka is shut and several government officers and miners who were a part of the export racket are now cooling their heels behind the bars.
What a tragic end to a fast-growing minor port. One quick scan along our long coastline would reveal several such minor ports thriving on illegal practices and away from the government and regulatory glare. Minor ports are owned by state governments and governed by state maritime boards, while major ports are owned by the central government and come under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, barring Ennore Port, which is the only corporatised port. While major ports implement tough security step and strictures, most minor ports continue to be lax and are governed without any strict operational code.
Illicit ore trade through Belekeri Port was splendidly portrayed by Karnataka Lokayukta in its report. The port handled 1.6 million tonnes of ore exports during the April-May season and almost 1.2 million tonnes exports were illegal. Even after a senior forest official seized the ore and the high court refused to permit it to be exported, a large part of it was surreptitiously exported from the port, according to Lokayukta. The fact that it took a long protracted public protest to book the culprits is now part of the history.
A similar situation came up at Panaji Port, a minor port in Goa, which had clamped similar restrictions on the illegal ore trade. Ore exports from Goa, the largest ore-exporting state which registered its highest exports in last financial year at 54.45 million tonnes, are likely to drop significantly this year on the back of the ongoing crackdown on illegal mining and exports. Industry officials say that exports from Goa, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of India’s total ore exports, have already slowed down following suspension notices and regulatory orders issued against some miners. While exports through Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), a major port, are going on, albeit slow, Panaji Port has suspended exports.
Almost 190 minor ports, including the ones operated by private companies, dot the west and east coasts of India and shipments through these ports are growing rapidly. At a time when most major ports are growing at a marginal 3-5 per cent, most minor ports are on a swing.
It is time for state governments to clamp down on corrupt practices on cargo clearance at their minor ports and bring in checks and balances on cargo and commodities shipped. Instead of letting state governments to do the job, it may be a good idea for New Delhi to bring these ports under an appellate body.
Centre had proposed the Indian Ports Bill to replace the Indian Port Act, 1908, and Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, and bring in standard rules for both the major and non-major ports. As expected, it has drawn flak from state governments. Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik vehemently opposed the bill and sought support of his counterparts in all marine states to raise their voice against it.
Effort should not be to bring in tariff regulations. The prevailing competitive environment will take care of tariffs without any interference. What we need is an authority to standardise all cargo export-import formalities, monitor consignments and ensure India’s foreign trade is on the right track.
Source : mydigitalfc.com
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