Chennai Port Trust employees want issue of blank passes to stop

Though there are rules that permit Container Freight Stations (CFS) to issue blank passes for port entry to the drivers and cleaners of container-loaded lorries, the employees of the Chennai Port Trust want this practice to end. They say that the blank passes might be misused and they might prove a threat to security. An earlier incident of August 2009 was recalled involving a Chinese national who found entry into the port without the requisite clearances. They also opposed the proposal of the Port management to outsource the issue of passes. Apart from being a security threat, such a proposal would render the pass section of the port surplus, leading to inevitable cessation of employment. Moreover, there is revenue loss as well.  The employees argued: “What is the need for outsourcing the pass section when we are doing it efficiently?” They also drew attention to the short comings in the practice. They said that entering vital details in the pass manually gives a scope for manipulation; and , the bonafide details of drivers and the cleaners are not verified and checked properly; above all, the entry fee is charged for a day, though the “passes are for periods ranging from one to seven days”.  The Port officials have their own explanation for their proposal of outsourcing. Following the practice now in Mormugao port, they would like to utilize the pass section facility round the clock and the Chennai Port Trust employees would not be surplus since they would be deployed in other departments.

Though there are rules that permit Container Freight Stations (CFS) to issue blank passes for port entry to the drivers and cleaners of container-loaded lorries, the employees of the Chennai Port Trust want this practice to end. They say that the blank passes might be misused and they might prove a threat to security. An earlier incident of August 2009 was recalled involving a Chinese national who found entry into the port without the requisite clearances. They also opposed the proposal of the Port management to outsource the issue of passes. Apart from being a security threat, such a proposal would render the pass section of the port surplus, leading to inevitable cessation of employment. Moreover, there is revenue loss as well.  The employees argued: “What is the need for outsourcing the pass section when we are doing it efficiently?” They also drew attention to the short comings in the practice. They said that entering vital details in the pass manually gives a scope for manipulation; and , the bonafide details of drivers and the cleaners are not verified and checked properly; above all, the entry fee is charged for a day, though the “passes are for periods ranging from one to seven days”.  The Port officials have their own explanation for their proposal of outsourcing. Following the practice now in Mormugao port, they would like to utilize the pass section facility round the clock and the Chennai Port Trust employees would not be surplus since they would be deployed in other departments.

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