KAKINADA: Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju has said that the Union Government was strengthening the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on all fronts. Necessary infrastructure was also being provided to the ICG, he added.
Inaugurating a 40-ft jetty given to the ICG by Kakinada Sea Ports Limited (KSPL) here today, he said the jetty would help in the operation of the ICG ships and patrolling of the Eastern sea board and Kakinada in particular.
The offshore exploration activities were also on the rise and thousands of fishermen were venturing into the sea every day. Stating that there was abundant wealth, he stressed the need to protect the ocean wealth round the clock. The increased maritime traffic has called for an efficient framework of maritime safety, maritime security, marine environment, disaster management and law enforcement at sea, he stated.
ICG was involved in multifarious activities and received laurels for its services rendered on various fronts, he said. After Mumbai bomb blasts the Union Government beefed up coastal security and as part of it the Government was providing Static Radar Sensors, operational platforms and Coast Guard stations along the coast line in the country. As part of security measures, stations were sanctioned at Krishnapatnam and Nizampatnam in the State, the minister said.
Marine police, Fisheries Department and Port authorities should work in coordination with the ICG for effective results, Pallam Raju said.
ICG Director-General Vice- Admiral Anil Chopra said ICG is the fifth largest coast police wing in the world, which is protecting the 7,500 km coast line round the clock.
The Union Government has sanctioned 14 ICG stations across the country as part of strengthening the ICG, he said. Oil and gas exploration activities were escalating in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
Providing a jetty at Kakinada to the ICG is very useful to operate its ships, he said.
ICG is rendering services to protect the coastline as well as marine wealth, he said. KSPL Chairman K Venkateswara Rao, ICG Inspector- General (East Coast) A Raja Sekhar, Deputy Inspector- General GP Raju, Commandant Satwant Singh, MLCs and MLAs were among those present.
MINISTER BOYCOTTs SAILING After the inauguration of the jetty, Pallam Raju did not take part in the sailing programme and left the place in a huff as confusion prevailed there owing to lack of co-ordination between the ICG officials.
Mediapersons, people’s representatives and officials along with the minister came to board ‘Sarang’ ship for a 30-minute sailing. At this juncture, persons accompanying the elected representatives and mediapersons tried to rush into the ship resulting in utter confusion. Officials stopped mediapersons following which an argument ensued between mediapersons and officials.
Noticing the chaos, the minister who boarded the ship directed the officials to conduct a second trip, but the officials expressed their inability for security reasons.
With this, the minister came down the ship and left the place. MLAs, MLCs and others also followed suit.