Tvm to become first Nokkukooli-free city

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: As part of ending the dispute over loading and unloading by a section of unscrupulous workers, the State Government is launching the unification of the loading and unloading charges in the state.  Thiruvananthapuram will be declared the first ‘nokkukooli-free’ city in the state on November 9. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the function at Panchayat Association Hall here on Wednesday.  Ministers P K Kunhalikutty, V S Sivakuamr, Mayor K Chandrika, MPs Shashi Tharoor, A Sampath, MLAs and other people’s representatives will attend the function. The loading and unloading charges of building construction materials and  furniture have been revised in view of the complaints that a section of workers are demanding exorbitant rates. The unified fee structure would be implemented in the city for the first time. Later it will be implemented in all the five municipal corporations in the state. Labour Minister Shibu Baby John’s office had held several rounds of talks with the trade union leaders in this regard. As per the scheme, the fare for articles to be unloaded can be remitted in advance in all the branches of the State Bank of Travancore. The application containing the list of articles and its fares will be available at the residential associations, Headload Workers Welfare Fund offices and on the website of the Labour Department - www.lc.kerala.gov.in. The workers can claim the amount remitted in the bank fromHeadload Workers Welfare Fund Board office or from the local office of the Board.  The applicant has to submit three copies of the application form along with payment. The original copy will be kept in the bank, the duplicate with the applicant and the third copy will be given to the workers who unload the articles. The fees will include the charges for unloading and for stacking the same in the vehicle. The list also contains the charges for transporting the materials on head for 25 metres from the vehicle. In case of any dispute the complaints could be solved through the Headload Workers Welfare Fund  Board and District Labour Office.  The Helpline of the Labour Department also could be a approached for settling the dispute. The Labour Department has been instructed to initiate stringent action against those who demand exorbitant rates or misbehave with the clients.For more details log on to www.lc.kerala.gov.in.