Visakhapatnam Port Trust received a notice from the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a petition filed by the workers union against the port’s plan to rope in a private party for modernisation and upgradation of facilities at the ore handling complex (OHC).
It may be noted that the port invited global tenders for the project, which it intends to implement on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.
The court issued notices to the first and second respondents — the Union Ministry of Shipping and the Visakhapatnam Port Trust — asking them why the petition of the complainant should not be complied with.
The court order said: “While the tender process may go on, its results shall be subject to further orders.” Essar and Vedanta groups are the frontrunners in the bids for the Rs 845-crore project for which the port had obtained clearance from the Planning Commission.
The petition was filed by K Bhavani Shankarudu, the President of BMS-affiliated Visakhapatnam Port and Dock Mazdoor Sangh.
Shankarudu argues that the port’s decision to rope in a private party would be contrary to Section 10 of Contract labour (Abolition & Regulation) Act, 1970. It would lead to engaging contract workers.
According to Shankarudu, the decision to award the modernisation and improvement of facilities at OHC was nothing but privatisation and would be against the letter and spirit of Major Port TrustsÂ’ Act, 1963.
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