Indian Maritime Sector Seeks Govt Sops
The maritime sector, including, ports, shipping industry and merchant navy in India is expecting the government would allocate a substantial amount of provisions and sops in the forthcoming union budget.
Indian Shipping Industry has the potential to ignite growth, both through a trade resurgence and development of ancillary businesses, the industry sources say.
The shipping ministry has already discussed with the finance ministry for help to restructure stressed shipping industry loans and tax exemptions to the debt-laden sector.
The shipping ministry's demand comes at a time when the government is getting ready to present the Union budget at end of this month. "I have proposed the finance ministry to talk to banks for more flexibility towards the sector," said Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Governments, both past and present, have tried to bring maritime industry into focus by announcing some major proposals to boost infrastructure and thereby the industry, but nothing much has been done to develop maritime transport industry so far.
The Government of India should take action towards developing and creating The Merchant Navy National Cadet Corps on the same principals as National Cadet Corps (NCC). The Merchant Navy National Cadet Corps can be the shipping industry's central body for promoting and developing the sector by providing specific education, training and skills to youth, said Capt. Sunil Nangia, editor, Sailor Today.
Though development of maritime transport industry, including ocean and inland and coastal shipping is one of the biggest ideas for boosting economic development of the country, governments have not so far given the necessary thrust. Today, the 7,500-km coastline of the country is grossly underutilized.
