Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to submit whether it has the right to stop the loading of rice on board MV Stella at Kakinada port when the petitioners have a valid license to export rice.
A single-judge bench headed by Justice Nimmagadda Venkateswaralu heard a batch of petitions filed separately seeking permission from the state government to load parboiled rice onto ships from barges at Kakinada port.
Chitra Agri Export Managing Director KV Bhaskar Reddy, Padmashri Rice Mill Managing Director Pothamasti Gangi Reddy and Surya Sri Rice Mill Managing Director Pothamasti Vishwanath Reddy filed separate petitions in the High Court saying that they were not given permission. Load boiled rice on MV Stella at Kakinada port.
During the hearing, the court asked whether the petitioners have all necessary permits for the export of parboiled rice and whether the authorities have the authority to stop the loading of such rice.
Petitioner’s counsel A. Muninander Reddy argued that the authorities were incurring a daily loss of Rs 4.20 lakh due to non-loading of rice.
Additional Advocate General Sambasiva Pratap said that he will submit detailed information on this matter to the court, but he has asked for some time for that. Accordingly, the court has adjourned the next hearing of the case till December 19.