Marine Foundation appeals to PM for amendment in Shipping Act

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Raising cudgels on behalf of the family of Subodh Tiwari, the 23-year-old marine engineer who died under mysterious circumstances aboard his ship in Iranian waters, the Hasan Marine Foundation has appealed to the Prime Minister to amend the Merchant Shipping Act to save the lives of Indian nationals.

''The shipping syndicate is killing helpless Indian sea farer like 'use and throw disposable material' and no action is possible against them,'' Foundation head Zaheer Zaidi said.

''To protect the lives of scores of Indian seamen an amendment to the existing legislation, which covers loss of life, is essential,'' he added.

He said the foreign shipping companies distort facts and tamper with evidence while reporting death of a sea man.

In the absence of a policy it is impossible to get facts about incidents involving Indian nationals and evolve remedial measures,'' he added.

The Foundation said the amended act would make foreign ships accountable and criminal proceedings can be initiated against them.

''Sadly loss of life is not considered national loss. As a result the bereaved family members have to run from pillar to post to get justice which is seldom received,'' Mr Zaidi said.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran is investigating the case. The Company and the officials on board the ship are not providing any assistance to the family.

Subodh Tiwari's family had to wait for 26 days to receive his body.

The marine engineer, who left his native place Barhaj in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria area on April 25 for work in Tehran, died on July 21.

On August 8, his father Narsingh Tiwari received the coffin but to their utter shock it carried the body of a woman.

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