Madurai, June 27 (KNN) The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TNCCI) has cautioned the exporters of Tamil Nadu by exposing a case where some Kerala exporters have illegally tried to transport perishable goods to Gulf countries via Madurai since such exports have been banned by them post Nipah Virus outbreak.

Talking to KNN India about this, Chamber’s President N Jegatheesan said, “One of our members pointed this out to us after which a Kerala number vehicle carrying perishable goods- fruits, vegetables and meat – was found near Madurai airport.”

United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May had banned import of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kerala in the wake of outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV) in the state.

According to some reports, it was indicated that the main host of the disease is the fruit bat, where the virus is transmitted through secretions from the bat to the fruit that it feeds on or touches.

Mangoes, dates and bananas are the bat's most preferred fruit. There have been cases of transmission of the disease among humans and between humans and animals as well.

Talking about the case, Jegatheesan said, “Since May ban has been imposed on export of perishable goods from Kerala. Some exporters are using Madurai airport to export their goods to gulf countries. This could put the entire Tamil Nadu exporters in trouble so we immediately alerted all the concerned departments.”

In a letter (a copy of which is with KNN India) to the Airport Director, Madurai Airport, Jegatheesan said, “Some Kerala exporters have been clandestinely transporting perishable goods (vegetables/fruits) originating from Kerala by road to Madurai and with connivance of a corrupted airline agent and CHA agents allowing the goods to be airlifted to Dubai and other Gulf destinations through Madurai Airport.”

“We reliably learn that one agent staff from a particular airline (KNN not mentioning name), has been assisting the illegal Kerala exporters by taking graft money at the rate of Rs.5 per kg. and allowing the export of such banned perishable goods consignments to Gulf countries. We further understand that one CHA Agent and two other Airlines agents, by name Connect Cargo and Bravo Logistics are hand in gloves with the corrupted  agent staff and facilitate such illegal export of perishables from Kerala to Gulf Countries,” the letter pointed.

The letter further said, “We doubt that Plant Quarantine Certificates are forged and the IEC is being misused of other exporters and the cargo is being lodged, surreptitiously with the help of a CHA Agent, by name, ACT Link based in Tuticorin.”

If this illegal export of banned perishable goods (vegetables/fruits) from Kerala are continue to be allowed, genuine exporters from Tamil Nadu will be seriously affected and put to heavy revenue loss, Jegatheesan wrote in the letter.

Jegatheesan told KNN that after the chamber pointed this case to the airport authority, both the customs and the airport authority have taken the matter seriously and have checked any such export from Madurai airport.

KNN India also spoke to the Senior Manager of Madurai Airport, N Palanichamy, who said the letter has been forwarded to all the concerned departments. The letter has also been forwarded to the airline. (KNN Bureau)