Lakshadweep to shift mainland supply base to Calicut

Lakshadweep islands depend heavily on Mangalore for their needs—from chilly, construction material to petroleum products.

Now Lakshadweep is considering shifting its mainland supply base to Calicut, stating that Mangalore port officials are harassing them for pecuniary benefits.

A letter has been submitted to Lakshadweep MP Amdulla PA Sayeed as officials in charge of inspecting vessels are allegedly harassing vessel managers and seeking bribes.

Sadiq, an agent from Lakshadweep who procures goods from Mangalore said, “The port does not have a manager for the past three months after the earlier port manager, Capt. Mohan Kudri, retired. There were lower-cadre officials who demand Rs3,000-Rs5,000 to clear each Lakshadweep-bound vessel. A mid-level official comes here once a week on additional charge from Karwar.”

“The goods bound for Lakshadweep are already heavily priced as they have to travel 300km. We have no other means of compensating for the bribe officials take except by passing the burden on to poor consumers on the islands,” said Aftab, an agent.

“The supplies from Mangalore reach islands like Minicoy, Kalpeni, Andrott, Kadmatt and Bangaram, Agatti, Chetlet and Kavaratti, which are inhabited by low-income groups. They have already started feeling the pinch and have complained to the Lakshadweep administrator,” he added.

According to statistics, 16-17 vessels head from Mangalore to Lakshadweep every day. During the monsoon, the number falls by at least 50%. As a result of paying hefty ‘hafta’, at least 10 vessels are now parked in the Mangalore old port for the last three days as agents and vessel managers have refused to pay up.