Visakhapatnam: Coastal security still remains a challenge as the second phase of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)'s Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) could not be completed. The Phase-II of the scheme was launched in 2011 for five years and scheme ended April this year. While India has 7,500km odd coastline, Andhra Pradesh alone has 974km the longest in the country after Gujarat.
“The implementation of Phase-II of the Coastal Security Scheme, which commenced w.e.f. April 1, 2011 for a period of five years, has not been completed due to delay in procurement of boats, construction of jetties and non-completion of construction of Coastal Police Stations in some Coastal States/UTs,” said minister of state in the MHA, Kiren Rijju recently in the Parliament to a question raised by a Rajysabha member.
He added that The National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS) against threats from the sea, and the Steering Committee for review of Coastal Security in the ministry of home affairs, meet periodically to review the implementation of the Coastal Security Scheme. Under the Coastal Security Scheme boats are to be centrally procured and supplied to the various Coastal States/Union Territories. Funds of '125 crore were made available for procurement of the same.
Ironically in 2011 Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) the audit report on Andhra Pradesh police department had pointed this out. Thus, adequate attention was not paid by either the state or Central government in implementation of an important scheme concerning national security as fulfilment of basic requirements like adequate arrangements for maintenance of boats, provision of jetties in the vicinity of the Marine Police Station, recruitment of adequate and skilled manpower and imparting appropriate training to them was not ensured.
No evidence was available on the actual operation of monitoring mechanism to ensure foolproof coastal security in the state. The main objective of strengthening coastal security against infiltration, intrusion and other illegal activities thus remains unachieved.
