For more than 40 days, the two vessels seized are retained at Kolkata dock system though for different reasons. But the two vessels have a common cargo, wheat and a common exporter. The exporter is a Kolkata-based commodity trader and the importer is none other than the Bangladesh Government. One vessel carries the Indian flag and the other, that of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi vessel, allegedly, has more serious charges of violations; first, the cargo it has is the wheat meant for people Below Poverty Line through Public Distribution System. Second, it is not permitted; it is said, to load wheat at all but only fly ash at a Hoogly river jetty. Though the vessel is detained, the master of the vessel, a Bangladeshi, has been released. The Indian vessel is also detained because the exporter is the same for the two vessels, though the cargo in the Indian vessel is free from any violation. It is reported that the exporter is absconding. The owner of the Indian vessel feels aggrieved that he is put to hardship for no fault of his; he said: “The exporter asked for a vessel for wheat export to Bangladesh and we placed it, knowing little about the origin of the cargo. But I am now being required not only to cough up daily berth hire to port authorities as my vessel is occupying a berth but also face a barrage of queries from different government agencies for no fault of mine”. It is said he has appealed to the authorities for release of his vessel but of no result. The saddest aspect of this whole episode is the people below poverty line are deprived of their wheat which is, unfortunately, rotting, unused and unclaimed.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Uncertain fate for the two seized vessels but the cargo (wheat) rots, certainly
For more than 40 days, the two vessels seized are retained at Kolkata dock system though for different reasons. But the two vessels have a common cargo, wheat and a common exporter. The exporter is a Kolkata-based commodity trader and the importer is none other than the Bangladesh Government. One vessel carries the Indian flag and the other, that of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi vessel, allegedly, has more serious charges of violations; first, the cargo it has is the wheat meant for people Below Poverty Line through Public Distribution System. Second, it is not permitted; it is said, to load wheat at all but only fly ash at a Hoogly river jetty. Though the vessel is detained, the master of the vessel, a Bangladeshi, has been released. The Indian vessel is also detained because the exporter is the same for the two vessels, though the cargo in the Indian vessel is free from any violation. It is reported that the exporter is absconding. The owner of the Indian vessel feels aggrieved that he is put to hardship for no fault of his; he said: “The exporter asked for a vessel for wheat export to Bangladesh and we placed it, knowing little about the origin of the cargo. But I am now being required not only to cough up daily berth hire to port authorities as my vessel is occupying a berth but also face a barrage of queries from different government agencies for no fault of mine”. It is said he has appealed to the authorities for release of his vessel but of no result. The saddest aspect of this whole episode is the people below poverty line are deprived of their wheat which is, unfortunately, rotting, unused and unclaimed.
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