New Delhi, August 30:Calling for plugging of all gaps in the Coastal Security Framework in minimum time possible, Defence Minister A K Antony has urged all stakeholders to work with a unified purpose if they wanted ‘real progress’.
Chairing a meeting on Coastal Security here last evening, Mr Antony directed that all the remaining gaps in the Coastal Security Framework be bridged in minimum time possible, and asked senior officials to work towards operationalising Phase-II of Coastal Security.
Expressing concern over incidents like grounding of ‘MT Pavit’ off the Indian coastline, Mr Antony emphasised that all stakeholders including ministries like Shipping, Home, Petroleum and Natural Gas and Agriculture should finish pending tasks expeditiously.
He also observed that there was no room for any delay or slackness on matters relating to coastal security and called upon coastal states to be more proactive in this regard.
Referring to recurring oil spills and their impact on environment, Mr Antony said urgent and immediate action from all ministries and departments concerned needs to be taken.
It was also decided to progress the security of Single Point Moorings (SPM) with CISF as the agency for security, besides a discussion held on the vital issue of laning of ports.
Also, boats supplied under Home Ministry’s Coastal Security Programme (Phase-I) and their usage was also reviewed, as was the issue of gaps in deployment and management of these assets to ensure their optimum utilisation for enhancing maritime security.
During the meeting, presentations were made by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard on the actions taken till date on Coastal Security and the outstanding areas of concern.
The meeting was also informed that data collection for ID cards for fishermen would be completed by November this year.
The meeting was attended among others by the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma, Secretary (Ministry of Shipping) K Mohandas, Secretary (Ministry of Environment & Forests) P Chatterji, Secretary (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries) R Gangadharan, Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of State for Home Affairs A E Ahmed, Special Secretary (Ministry of Defence) R K Mathur, DG Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra and senior officers of the Defence Ministry, Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
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