Question : CURBS ON OPERATION EXPENDITURE IN PORT TRUSTS

(a) whether the Government have issued directives to Port Trusts to restrict the expenditure on establishment to 30% of the operating expenditure;

(b) whether the Cochin Port Trust had been incurring a very high establishment expenditure of 43 to 54% during 1994-99 much in excess of the ceiling in the directives;

(c) if so, the details thereof in comparison to other ports in the country;

(d) whether the out-turn of Cargo at Cochin per employee was less than per output in the neighbouring ports of New Mangalore and Tuticorin;

(e) if so, the facts thereof;

(f) whether the Cochin Port Trust also paid idle wages on crew attached to Drydock and Forklift trucks which were out of commission; and
(g) if so, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING ( SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK )

(a) No, Sir.

(b) & (c) In view of answer to (a) above, question of Cochin Port Trust incurring establishment expenditure in excess of the ceiling does not arise.

(d) & (e) Per employee out-turn of cargo is a function of the cargo mix and available infrastructure which vary from port to port. However, Cochin Port has increased employee productivity from 1217 tonnes per head in 1991 to 2473 tonnes in 2001.

(f) & (g) No, Sir. During the period of temporary shut down of dry docks, the concerned workers were deployed for other jobs such as repair of 24 floating crafts, container and oil terminal etc.