The Centre on Friday delegated powers of registration, survey and certification of Indian fishing boats to States and Union Territories. The decision was primarily taken to decentralise powers in the Centre and strengthen State maritime administrations.
“As per the notification, the powers in respect of registration, survey and certification of Indian fishing boats stand delegated to the secretaries in charge of the Department of Fisheries of respective State Governments or the Administrators in the case of Union territories,” read an official statement by the Shipping Ministry.
According to the notification issued by the Ministry, Indian fishing boats will now be registered at the specified ports or places in the country while the notified State Government officials will be the Registrars of the Indian fishing boats for the purpose.
“The decision to decentralise these functions is in consonance with the resolution emerged at the meeting of the Maritime States Development Council held in Mumbai on 7th and 8th January 2013,” the statement said.
Officials in the Ministry said that this decision will strengthen the maritime administrations of the states and union territories, it said, adding that the fishing community will benefit from ease of business through reduction in transaction time and costs, accessibility of services at the local level and convenience.
Earlier, fishing boats less than 20 meters long were required to be registered with the State Governments and Union Territories whereas those above 20 meters in length had to be registered by mercantile marine departments, which is under the Directorate General of Shipping in the Centre.
Now all fishing boats, irrespective of their size or length, can be registered with the respective states and union territories.
Guidelines are being issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, will facilitate the discharge of these functions by maritime states/ union territory administrations, in a harmonised manner, the statement said.