SOPA slams revised freight rates and surcharge

Indore, Apr 28 (UNI) Criticising revised freight rates and imposition of surcharge on transport of soybean deoiled cake (DOC), the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) today urged Railway Minister Lalu Prasad to rollback the revised tariff classification and abolish the surcharge.

''Revised rates, effective from April 1, will have an adverse effect DOC export. Surcharge of 5 per cent on commodities in 'Class 160' and below, and busy route surcharge of 20 per cent for export to Bangladesh and Pakistan have also been imposed,'' SOPA Association Chairman Rajesh Agrawal said in a release issued here.

The revision has imposed a direct burden of 10 per cent on the movement of soymeal from remote locations in Madhya Pradesh to ports.

This, compounded with surcharge, would add at least Rs 200 per metric tonne to the cost of DOC transportation by train, making it uncompetitive internationally.

''Such an export-unfriendly step will hit DOC exports which earn almost Rs 3,000 crore worth foreign exchange and contributes a similar amount by way of edible oil to domestic pools as import substitution,'' Mr Agrawal added.

The railways are charging about 10 to 12 per cent extra on account of minimum loading charges he said.

''It is impossible to load the minimum prescribed weight as soymeal is light and occupies more volume,'' the SOPA Chairman explained.

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