KOCHI: Cochin Port Employees' Organisation (CPEO) has advised the management of Cochin Port Trust to invoke compensation clause in its contract with a dredging company for the losses the port sustained because of the non-completion of dredging work even after extension of contract period.

In his letter to Chairman of Cochin Port Trust, C.D. Nandakumar, General Secretary and Labour Trustee, said that the Port Trust should immediately work out the compensation that is its due according to the original terms from February 2010.

The letter pointed out that the dredging contractor was to complete dredging operations to provide 14.5 metre draft for International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) channel by the end of January this year.

The Board of Trustees, which considered the progress of the dredging work early this year, constituted a sub-committee to decide the future course of action on the issue.

The sub-committee's report, submitted in February, had recommended extension of time for completion of dredging operations till April 30. The sub-committee had also observed that any decision should be in the best interest of the Port Trust.

Mr. Nandakumar observed in his letter to Port Trust Chairman that as per latest information the contractor had not completed the capital dredging operations even after expiry of the extended date.

Courtesy:hindu.com