Scheme to train fishermen youth for jobs in shipping sector

Kochi, Dec 22 (UNI) The Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Ministry will provide Rs ten crore in the next financial year to train youth from fishermen community for employment in the shipping sector.

Stating this after a meeting of the eighth Marine States Development Council (MSDC) here today, Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu said the money would be utilised to provide subsidy to states for the training programmes.

According to officials, under the scheme, to be formulated by the Director General of Shipping in consultation with Fisheries Training Institutes, the youth from the fishermen communities would be trained to find employment in 'near coastal vessels' of the Merchant Navy.

Among the other proposals discussed at the eighth MSDC meeting were capacity building on a warfooting to create 1.5 billion tonnes capacity at the ports and the formulation of a comprehensive Coastal Shipping Policy.

A contingency plan to combat oil pollution incidents, a coastal security plan, port-based special economic zones and a concessional tax regime for the maritime sector were also discussed.

On the issue of environmental clearance for port projects, it was suggested that the earlier exemption from securing environmental clearance for projects upto Rs 50 crore in existing ports be restored with enhanced ceiling.

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