State government forms committee for security of non-major ports in Maharashtra

The state government has formed a committee for the security of non-major ports in Maharashtra. The ten-member committee, headed by the additional chief secretary (ports), will be reviewing the roles & responsibilities of various agencies in order to curb the threats of narcotics/contraband smuggling and human trafficking and will identify new surveillance technology & marine assets for augmenting current efforts for strengthening coastal security and take necessary measures for recruitment and training of marine/security professionals in police & fisheries departments.

According to a state home department official, non-major ports are being managed by Maritime Boards in some states such as Kerala and Maharashtra.

"The Government of India had informed the government of Maharashtra about the port's-wise list of lacunas for strengthening maritime security. The Home Ministry had noticed that there are many lacunas in the functioning of ports. In this context, a meeting on vulnerabilities in non-major ports in Maharashtra was held on April 11, this year under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Transport & Ports)," the official said.

"In this meeting, it was recommended that a committee should be appointed for the security of non-major ports under the jurisdiction of Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). Accordingly, the matter of setting up a committee for the security of non-major ports was under consideration. A committee is now appointed for the security of non-major ports in Maharashtra. The objective of the committee is to review the timely implementation of various proposals and schemes of the government of India and the government of Maharashtra pertaining to coastal security, to ensure effective coordination among various central and state agencies, to review the role & responsibilities of various agencies in tackling threats of narcotics/contraband smuggling and human trafficking," the official said.

"The other objectives of the committee are to identify grey areas requiring specific attention by central and state agencies, to workout methodology for optimal utilisation of available resources for achieving gap-free surveillance, to identify new surveillance technology & marine assets for augmenting current efforts for strengthening coastal security and to take necessary measures for recruitment and training of marine/security professionals in police & fisheries departments," added officials.

Those in the committee include the Chief Executive Office (MMB), Director General Shipping, Commissioner (Fisheries), IGP (Coastal Security), Commander (Indian Coast Guard), Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) and Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO).