Kerala Houseboat Owners Association (KHBOA) has demanded Government that the decision to shift the registration office of the Port Department from Alappuzha to Ernakulam should be withdrawn.
The Association noted that out of the 1980 houseboats and other boats operating inthe State, 1400 houseboats and other boats operate in Alappuzha and Kumarakom. The shifting of office will lead to delay in fitness examination and dry dock inspection of boats, it alleged.
The issue will be brought to the attention of the Port Minister at the meeting convened by him in Thiruvananthapuram on July 31.
Jomon Konnaikkappally and Milton Job have been elected president and general secretary respectively of the KHBOA. The other office-bearers are Biju P (vice president), C.J.Michael (joint secretary) and Tomy Joseph (treasurer).