Times of India
Strengthening of infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance -- part of the second phase of the coastal security scheme -- will be implemented soon.
"The exercise has been completed to finalize the coastal security scheme (phase-II) in consultation with Coast Guard and concerned coastal states and UTs. After obtaining final approval of the competent authority, the implementation of the scheme will be carried out," M Ramachandran, minister of state for home told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Under the scheme, the Indian Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for overall maritime security which includes coastal security and offshore security. The Coast Guard is additionally designated as the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters including areas to be patrolled by the coastal police.
Compulsory registration of all types of vessels like fishing as well as non-fishing vessels, provision of navigational and communication equipments in all type of vessels and issuance of bio-metric ID cards to all the fishermen are among the provisions under the scheme.