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V. Sajeev Kumar
Kochi, March 9
The shipping fraternity and other trade bodies involved in trade through Kochi Port have sought a reduction in the electricity charges collected by the port .
The Port Trust has been supplying power to the users in Willingdon Island under a licensing agreement with the Kerala State Electricity Board.
The views of the shipping fraternity were aired at a public hearing conducted by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission in the port area to decide on the ARR (aggregate revenue receipt) and ERC (expected revenue charges) for the years 2008-09; 2009-10 and 2010-11 filed by the Port Trust. The stakeholders such as chambers of commerce, trade bodies and major electricity users were invited to participate and express their opinion.
The Port Trust, in its presentation, showed a surplus of Rs 35.44 lakh for 2008-09 and Rs 106.28 lakh for 2009-10 and an expected deficit of Rs 16.87 lakh for 2010-11.
The trade bodies pointed out that the surplus generated for 2008-09 and 2009-10 could be utilised for providing subsidised service to port users which would be really helpful for Exim trade. The port users also asked for lower charges for reefer plugs provided at the terminal to attract more reefer containers.
The Regulatory Commission, after hearing the views, reserved its comments , sources in the shipping fraternity said. The Commission handed over the licensing agreement for the distribution of power at Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen SEZ area to the Port Trust. The port officials informed that with the commissioning of LNG terminal and re-gasification plants, power generated and procured could become cheaper.