Phase-II of Coastal Surveillance Network to be completed on time: Sitharaman
New Delhi, Sep 24 : The second phase of the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) - that was conceived to ensure attacks like Mumbai 26/11 does not happen in future - would be completed in a time-bound manner, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.
The first phase of the CSN, which provides near real-time surveillance around areas of high sensitivity along the coast line, has already been completed.
Inaugurating the 37th Coast Guard Commanders' Conference here, Sitharaman appreciated the consistent efforts of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in filling up the gaps in surveillance through CSN Phase-I, and assured "staunch commitment" of the Defence Ministry for the completion of Phase-II in a "time bound manner".
She called upon the ICG's top commanders to discuss ways and means to engage fishing communities to adopt technology driven instruments for further enhancing safety and security at sea.
The Defence Minister said the Indian Coast Guard regularly garners appreciation at international fora for its capabilities and relentless surveillance of India's vast maritime zones.
The ICG's capabilities are unmatched in the Indo-Pacific region, she said.
She also appreciated the role played by the ICG in saving the lives in times of adversity such as in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi and during the recent Kerala floods.
Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh said the force remains ever-diligent in performing its duties of saving lives and property in distress at sea, protecting the marine environment and protecting India's maritime security interests.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
