Row between port unions over raw sugar handling settled

Kakinada, Mar 12 (UNI) The row between the port workers' unions over handling of raw sugar at the Deep Water Port was settled today following intervention of Congress MLA Mutha Gopalakrishna, who is chairman of the Port Workers Unions.

The Unions agreed to share the work in a 60:40 ratio between the Anchorage Port Workers and Deep Water Port Workers.

The HMS-affiliated Cargo Boat and Steel Barge Workers Union had earlier threatened to paralyse operations at anchorage port if their demand over loading of the raw sugar was not met.

They contented that sugar, being an agri-cargo, should be handled at the anchorage port.

The meeting also agreed to routing of raw sugar, meant for exports, through the Deep Water Port pending final directive from the state government.

Later, in a communication to the Chairman of the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce, Mr Gopalakrishna made it clear that the arrangement was only for the first shipment of raw sugar and for further shipments, the government should decide on demarcation of cargo between the Ports.

UNI XC VA AJ RL ND1904