Rice companies allowed to unload rice worth Rs 150 crore in Congo

Ahmedabad Mirror.

Domestic rice exporters have received a major reprieve from the Gujarat High Court in a case concerning the deposit of $3 million to its registry. The dispute, which involved the charter hire of vessels between international companies, initially saw the petitioner company include the rice exporters as respondents before withdrawing the petition. 
This decision allows the rice companies to finally unload their stock, valued at Rs 150 crore, in Congo. 
   The case revolved around the recovery of an amount allegedly owed to Transbulk International Shipping LLC, a Dubai-based ship operator, by Apex Bulk Marine PTE Limited and two other associated companies. These companies had entered into a charter party agreement to hire a ship and crew but failed to pay the hire charges.
Transbulk approached the HC seeking permission to initiate arbitration proceedings against the three firms in debt. It sought to attach freight payments due to Apex Bulk Marine and the two other companies from the rice exporters as security.
On December 18, the court ordered the rice exporters to retain an amount of freight/debt payable by them, up to $3,000,000, and deposit it with the Court Registry. 
However, the rice exporters objected to Transbulk’s attempt to involve them in the matter. AM

70% disability a ‘no’ for anganwadi
​​​​​​​Wouldn’t be able to discharge duties efficiently: HC division bench

A division bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice Gita Gopi has set aside an order of the single judge which had directed the state to appoint a woman with 70% permanent disability as an Anganwadi worker.
 The bench, in its order, noted that after examining various duties and responsibilities involving wellbeing of infants/children and their mothers, it was of the opinion that, since the respondent no.4 (candidate) suffered from more than 40% of benchmark disability, as defined in sub-section 2(r) of The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it would not have been feasible for her to discharge the responsibilities efficiently.
As per a government resolution, the responsibilities of the Anganwadi worker include visiting and examining health and nourishment of the children, who are below three years of age. Such a worker has to see that they are given proper meals in the morning and noon, and also ensure that they attend pre-school.
The bench was hearing an appeal by the Program Officer, ICDS and Bal Vikas Yojna Adhikari challenging an order of the single judge which allowed a woman’s petition after she was rejected for appointment as an Anganwadi worker by the authorities. AM

Published Date: January 28, 2025