Cabotage law may be eased soon: Kerala CM

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the Shipping Ministry has promised to take the necessary steps for relaxing the Cabotage law at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Federation of Indian Export Organistions, Kerala chapter, in Kochi on Saturday.

The Chief Minister said that he had held a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.

"The Prime Minister said that the necessary steps would be taken for easing the Cabotage law. The Shipping Ministry has also assured that relaxations would be made at the earliest," Chandy said.

He said that Centre aid has been given for the development of the Azhikkal Port and the Vallarpadam terminal.

"The state is looking forward to funds from the Centre for the Vizhinjam Port as well. Apart from these major three, small ports will also be developed across the state," Chandy said.

Chandy opined that state has not fully utilised coastal transportation.

"We could only tap 10 percentage of the state's coastal transportation potential. But the government will take necessary action to tap its full potential," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies KV Thomas said that export of the commodities in the country is increasing each year.

He added that a more practical approach regarding export and import would lead to more growth in the sector.

"We, political leaders, often frame decisions on the basis of vote banks just to win the next election. So we are handcuffed from taking harsh decisions," he said.

Anup K Pujari, Director General of Foreign Trade, said that a whopping increase is noted in the commodity export.

"There should be stability in the export of all commodities," he said.

He added that as far as cashew and areca nut are concerned many are importing these commodities and are bringing them into the domestic market.

This has affected the price of these commodities.

"We have taken action to control such activities by increasing the import duties on the these commodities," Anup said.