MINUTES OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE MEETING - MINISTRY OF STEEL, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINUTES OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE (IMC) ON SHIP BEAKING ACTIVITIES ON 17.1.2007

Welcoming the participants, Chairman took up the agenda items and the discussions that took place are summarized below:-

Representative of DG, FASLI (FASLI) informed in brief the methodology adopted by the team of officers which visited Alang, their findings and the recommendations given by the team. He informed that the detailed report of the visit was under preparation and would be submitted shortly. However, he distributed to all the participants the gist of the findings and recommendations made by the team during the course of meeting itself. He stated that the team had visited all the 25 units which were functioning and had gathered information regarding the use of PPEs by observation, check list available at the yards and by interviewing the plot owners, supervisors and workers. They found that all the workers were using helmets. However, this might be due to the reason that their visit to the yard was a planned visit. They also found that the safety supervisors were not aware of various types of PPEs and they need some training on use of PPEs. Some of the owners who were not giving PPEs to the workers stated that since workers do not demand PPEs, they do not provide the same to them. To this the Chairman observed that use of PPEs has to be enforced by the Govt/ monitoring authorities irrespective of whether the same are demanded by workers or not. After discussion, it was decided that :-

All workers, supervisors and plot owners should be sensitized and trained at regular and frequent intervals.
GMB may identify duration and syllabus etc for different courses for different types of workers, supervisors and plot owners and start training courses on regular basis. If required, GMB may take the help of FASLI in the matter.
The training institute at Alang should be equipped fully by GMB and all types of PPEs should be available at the Institute for demonstration.
Use of PPEs may be enforced by the authorities concerned. Penalty for repetitive defaulters should be stringent.
FASLI to submit the report of their visit to Alang to all concerned at the earliest and to follow up the study by making surprise visits to the yard.
GMB to give a report to Ministry of Steel on the quality of Training Institute at Alang, availability of safety equipments at the insitiute, action taken to enforce use of PPEs, different training courses being run for workers/supervisors etc. and other action taken to improve safety standards at the Shipbreaking Yard.

(ii) Starting of Trust Hospital:-

President, ISSAI stated that the Trust is unable to run the Hospital and Chairman of the Trust is willing to hand over the hospital building to Gujarat Maritime Board . However, GMB has not made up its mind whether to take it or not. The representative of GMB informed that about Rs. 70-80 lakhs annually are required to run the hospital and GMB is considering various options i.e. whether to take over it or to convert it into a Govt. hospital etc. Chairman said that GMB/ Govt. of Gujarat should settle the issue at the earliest.

President, ISSAI stated that in the new policy notified by GMB, all plots including smaller plots are to be renewed by GMB which means 30 mt plots will continue to be renewed by GMB. The representative of GMB explained that all plots including smaller plots will be renewed first and then smaller plots will be merged with the next plot by mutual consents of the owners. After discussions, it was felt that GMB may consider merging of smaller plots at the time of transfer/renewal of lease itself.

It was informed that each and every plot holder is having a gas detector as it is a mandatory requirement. Safety supervisors are monitoring its use. However, training on utilization of gas detector is required in view of a recent fatal accident in a yard. The representative of GPCB stated that the gas detectors are neither properly calibrated nor properly used. Chairman emphasized the need for stringent implementation of safety guidelines. It was decided that GMB and all other concerned authorities may take necessary action for training of workers to ensure that the gas detectors are properly calibrated and used .

President, ISSAI informed that latest MEPC guidelines on ship recycling have been circulated. In the new guidelines the role of ship owners has been diluted. Though India, through DG, Shipping, had submitted a paper but in the report of MEPC there is no mention of India’s submission. Chairman, asked President, ISSAI to prepare an executive summary of the MEPC guidelines and the proposals which are injurious to shipbreaking industry may be pointed out. It was observed that the Ministry of Steel which is the nodal Ministry for shipbreaking is neither involved in preparation of paper for submission to IMO/MEPC nor included in the delegation sponsored by Ministry of Shipping to IMO. The Chairman suggested that in future Ministry of Steel should be informed of all activities and invited to attend the international meetings on ship breaking.

President, ISSAI stated that the definition of ship should be clarified in the Admiralty Act which is being amended. He further explained about the problems being faced by the industry in respect of present provisions in the Act relating to maritime lien. The representative of Ministry of Shipping informed that the draft Admiralty Act has been deliberated by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and the revised draft will be circulated shortly.

After discussion, Chairman stated that this issue was beyond the mandate of the Committee and, therefore may be taken up with the authorities concerned.

It was informed that out of 150 workers examined, 14 persons are suspected of having something for which a detailed examination is required. After discussion, it was decided to await the result of further study of these persons.