Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Seek full implementation of Rakesh Mohan report: Rao

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 5. Leaders in shipping industry and maritime operations, besides seafarers, should ask the Union Government to implement all recommendations of the Rakesh Mohan committee, to revive India's glorious maritime traditions, the Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, said today.

The country was once the leader in shipping and maritime trade. But Indian ships today handled only 7 million tonnes, out of a global total of 500 million gross tonnes - a mere half percent. To improve the situation, the Government constituted the committee. But because of some constraints, the Centre implemented only one or two tax-related measures for shipping companies.

Leaders in shipping and related maritime industry should seek the implementation of all recommendations, especially to improve port infrastructure, reduce tonnage tax for shipping operations and seek more tax incentives for merchant navy personnel, Mr. Rao said speaking at the 39th National Maritime Day (NMD) celebrations here.

The day marked the commencement of operations in 1919 of the first Indian-owned steamship, said the celebration committee's member, Capt. Deepak Kapoor.

The Governor gave away awards to school students and seafarers who won essay and other contests organised by the committee.

The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, B. Subhashan Reddy, wanted changes in laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act, to improve India's global sea trade share. Pointing out that Indian sea- farers were in great demand worldwide, he called for measures to improve training and quality of the seamen.

The Port Trust Chairman, P. Bhaskaradoss, enumerated the steps being taken by the Union Government and the Chennai Port Trust to improve infrastructure and operational efficiency in major ports.

Commodore R.S. Vasan, Coast Guard's Eastern region commander, highlighted the importance of sea trade in global economy and the need for providing security of operations at a time of increasing global level threats in the form of sea terrorism.

Earlier, at a function held at the Seafarers Club, Commodore T. Hari, naval officer in charge, Tamil Nadu, said Indians comprised 30 per cent of world's seafarers. The day was devoted to acknowledging the contributions of men in the merchant marine sector.

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