Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
The Tamil Nadu Government imposed a strict and complete lockdown from 10 May to 7 June in two phases to contain spreading of COVID-19 across the state. However, the government allowed functioning of only essential services.
As per the GO, only few categories of people are allowed to travel in two wheelers and others are allowed only through car, van with valid e-registration in government’s dedicated website.
The EXIM sector, especially the Custom Brokers, said to be the backbone in enabling movement of all types of cargo both in sea and air mode, are not covered in the new guidance (for two wheelers) issued by the Tamil Nadu government. It must be noted here that majority of clearing staff attached to Customs Brokers’ offices are fully dependent on two wheelers to reach CFS and Airport from Custom House. In spite of repeated representations by association to Tamil Nadu Government, no remedy has been given so far.
The CBRs have to engage private vehicles to drop their staffs in CFS incurring additional cost which is not reimbursable by the clients.
In this difficult situation, a few CFS have come forward to provide vehicles to pick up and drop clearing clerks between Custom House and CFS located in north and west Chennai. Meanwhile, Mr.K.Venkattu, Managing Partner of M/S .Blue World Cargo, a Custom Broker, has sponsored for a van to pick up and drop Customs clearing clerks from Custom House Chennai to all CFS located in North & West Chennai. The Custom Brokers in Chennai welcomes and appreciate his noble service to fraternity in this pandemic period as it not affordable to hire four-wheeler by all members. 
The trade is badly affected due to Government’s order for not allowing EXIM trade service people to travel in two wheelers, the facility extended by Mr.Venkattu is immense helpful to all small companies to send their staffs to CFS on time. He is setting an example for the community inspiring like-minded people to come forward to support the trade voluntarily.