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Govt to re-tender for portr in Great Nicobar Island

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) The government has decided to re-tender for development of a trans-shipment port at South Bay in Great Nicobar Island in view of poor response to the Global Expression of Interest, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu said conducting feasibility studies for development of a trans-shipment port in Great Nicobar island had been included in the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme.

''Global Expression of Interest was invited for the consultancy.

However, due to poor response, it has been decided to re-tender for the requirement,'' Mr Baalu said.

Replying to another query, the minister said the government had taken a decision to recoup the entire loss of Rs 92.78 crore of the Seamen's provident Fund to protect the interests of the seafarers.

To a question, he said the number of Indian seamen dead or missing while on duty onboard ships was 15 in 2005 and five in 2006.

''In many cases, preliminary inquiries have been completed. The recommendations of the inquiry officers have been generally accepted and implemented. In only one case of MV Faiz, a formal investigation by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kolkata High Court has been ordered,'' he told the House.

With regard to measures being taken to provide protection to seafarers on board Indian or foreign flag ships, Mr Baalu said a psychometric test had been introduced at the entry level of officers in maritime training courses for determining their attitude and aptitude for the sea.

A new course module has been formulated to sensitise the trainees with regard to rights of seafarers as envisaged in the merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2005 in all pre-sea training institutes.

Further, the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai has issued an order regarding reporting of casualties within 24 hours and plan of action to deal with such casualties involving Indian seafarers on foreign flag ships.

UNI

Furore over Cauvery issue in LS

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today assured the House that he would allow a discussion on the Cauvery Water Dispute even as it witnessed noisy scenes after former Prime Minister Deve Gowda sought to make a reference about the dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Members from Tamil Nadu were on their feet shouting at Mr Gowda when he appealed to the Chair to allow a discussion on the Cauvery Water issue under rule 193 of.....

LS adopts Motion of Thanks on President's address

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today unanimously adopted the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address to both Houses of Parliament on February 23. The motion, moved by Congress member Madhusudan Mistry on March 1, was adopted at the end of a three-day-long discussion. Before the motion was put to vote by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh replied to the debate in which nearly 100 members participated. UNI.....

UPA committed to women's empowerment: PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government will try to build a broad consensus and bring in the Women's Reservation Bill as soon as possible. ''On International Women's Day, I reaffirm the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's commitment to political, social and economic empowerment of women,'' he told the Rajya Sabha. The UPA's common minimum programme clearly states firm commitment to empowering women, said Dr Singh after several members spoke on the issue. As soon.....
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