Sentinels of Indian Maritime Zone

[ In Detail ]

 

The Sea borne smuggling across the seas was rampant towards the end 1960’s threatening the economy of our country. The five Customs patrol craft operated by the Indian Navy for the Central Board of Excise & Customs were grossly inadequate to deter the smugglers. To augment the anti-smuggling effort, as an interim measure, 13 confiscated dhows were inducted despite their inherent limitations, to support the existing fleet. However, this entire force level was only marginally effective to contain the large-scale smuggling activity. The problem of checking sea-borne smuggling traffic was compounded by:

• Long coastline without any effective coverage.
• Extensive fishing activity close to the shores complicated the identification of illegal traffic,particularly when there was no effective system in force for registering the fishing craft/boats.
• Necessity to intercept illegal vessels within the territorial waters.
• High speed vessels being used by the smugglers. (Nag Chaudhari Committee Report)

In the backdrop of large scale sea–borne smuggling, the Cabinet Secretariat, in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s directive, on 23 Jan 1970, constituted a study group under the chairmanship of Dr. BD Nag Chaudhari with Air Chief Marshal O.P.Mehra and Admiral RD Katari IN (Retd) amongst others, as members to examine and report on: -

• Number and nature of craft to be acquired to meet the immediate requirements of anti-smuggling task.
• Sources of supply and their availability in the world market to meet the operational requirement.
• Suitability of hovercraft, helicopter and other aircraft for anti-smuggling operations.

The Nag Choudhari Committee in its report submitted in Aug 1971 recommended that there is an immediate need to build our anti-smuggling capabilities on a three-tier system -Indigenous construction and early acquisition of surface craft for anti-smuggling measures. Hovercraft, in the role of fast interceptor was the choice for immediate augmenting of our limited anti-smuggling capability till the new fast surface crafts were acquired. Acquisition of surveillance aircraft in a phased programme could be similarly.geared up at a convenient stage.

On 03 May 1973, a meeting under the chairmanship of Shri VC Shukla, the Minister for Defence Production, was held to expedite the acquisition of suitable boats for the Customs. The requirement of two types of patrol boat was felt – a large size patrol boat with 1000 NM range and a max speed of 30 knots, fitted with light armament and capacity for 16 crew and a small boat of higher speed, fitted with light armament, to carry 12 crew. In the inter-ministerial meeting (in which both the Minister for Defence Production and Minister of Revenue and Expenditure were present), it was agreed that the medium boats should also be acquired in pursuance of the recommendations of the Nag Chaudhari Committee. In a subsequent meeting with the Ministry of Defence Production on 22 Nov 1973, the customs indicated a requirement of 20 modified SDB Mark-II type for their department.

Need for the Coast Guard

The need for a Coast Guard force in India to perform various non-military maritime roles had been felt for sometime, particularly by Naval Headquarters. It was however, not until 31 Aug 1974 that a serious official consideration was given to this problem when the Defence Secretary addressed a note to the Cabinet Secretary, spelling out the need for setting up of a Coast Guard type national organisation. In essence the Defence Secretary’s note brought out that an organisation for ensuring safety of life and property at sea and for law enforcement in the waters under our jurisdiction had not kept pace with the substantial increase in maritime activity in our surrounding seas. The note had further suggested that a suitable inter-ministerial body could examine the adequacy of the existing organisations and the possibility of closer coordination between their activities either by merging some or establishing a central organisation like a Coast Guard. In this context, the Chief of the Naval Staff had also stressed the need for greater inter-ministerial coordination in the maritime field to avoid duplication of effort and for dovetailing measures to ensure that the national objectives are attained by an integrated approach. It was also felt that the law enforcement activities should not be undertaken by the Navy, which would inevitably detract them from their operational role and interfere with their training. Further, deployment of sophisticated warships and manpower trained for specialised roles, on law enforcement tasks on a continuos basis in peace time neither was nor considered cost-effective.

Rustamji Committee

In the wake of the amendment to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act to provide for preventive detention for offences relating to smuggling and foreign exchange violations, a concerted drive was launched to combat smuggling. In this context, in Sep 1974, the Committee of Secretaries under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary appointed a committee to examine the shortcomings in our anti-smuggling and other maritime activities and suggest the measures to protect India’s marine resources and the creation of the Coast Guard. The committee was to be chaired by Shri KF Rustamji, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs with Vice Admiral VA Kamath, PVSM, Vice Chief of Naval Staff and Shri Jasjit Singh, Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs amongst its members. The Rustamji Committee in its report submitted on 31 Jul 1975 strongly recommended the setting up of a Coast Guard type organisation for general superintendence and policing of our sea areas in peacetime. The committee’s view had become even more pressing by virtue of the discovery of oil in our offshore areas. This committee also recommended that the Coast Guard Service should be patterned on the Navy and work under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The recommendations of the Rustamji Committee were considered and accepted by the Secretaries on 07 Jan 1976. The committee, however, decided that the new organisation should function under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The decision was subsequently reviewed at the level of the Prime Minister and it was decided to place it under the Ministry of Defence(MoD).

Key Step – MOD Paper

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) thereupon prepared a paper for consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affair (CCPA) seeking approval for: -

• Taking necessary steps to set up a Coast Guard organisation.
• Appointing an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry of Defence in the rank of Vice Admiral with a nucleus Headquarters and appropriate staff to prepare a detailed plan for the Coast Guard Organisation.
• Creation of an interim Coast Guard Force with two frigates seconded by the Navy and transferring of five patrol vessels from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

On 07 Jan 1977, the Cabinet approved the proposal for the setting up an interim Coast Guard Organisation within the Navy to undertake specified Coast Guard tasks. The CCPA directed that the budgetary provision for the Coast Guard should be under a separate head in the estimates of the Department of Revenue and Banking. Further, it had also directed that a detailed plan for the development of the Coast Guard should be drawn up.

Maritime Zones Act-1976

With the increasing awareness of the economic benefits to be gained from the sea and sea beds, certain Coastal States had claimed jurisdiction over the vast areas of sea around them. The Third conference of the UNCLOS resolved the inadequacies and evolved a regime for the international sea bed area. In conformity with the existing trend the world over, the Government of India enacted the 'Maritime Zones Act' on 25 Aug 1976. This Act came into force on 15 Jan 1977, bringing the entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), an area of 2.01 million square kilometres within our national jurisdiction. The policing of this vast sea area and to enforce the national laws and protecting the national interests would be a mammoth task and call for a dedicated organisation.

Interim Coast Guard Organisation

Interim Coast Guard Cell formed on February 1, 1977 Seated(L to R) Lt Cdr Dutt, Cmde Sarathy, Vice Adm V.A.Kamath, Cdr Bhanot, Mr. Varadan Standing(L to R) Mr. Sandhu, Mr.Jain, Mr. Pillai, Mr. Malhotra, Mr. Sastri

On 07 Jan 1977, following the Cabinet’s decision the interim Coast Guard Organisation came into being under Naval Headquarters on 01 Feb 1977. The force consisting of two frigates (IN Ships Kirpan and Kuthar) seconded from the Indian Navy and five patrol boats (Pamban, Puri, Pulicat, Panaji and Panvel) transferred from the Home Ministry. These assets were deployed for the discharge of the Coast Guard duties along the coasts and around the Island territories. The aim was to maintain surveillance of our sea area and to assess the extent of maritime activity in our maritime zones with a limited force.

Kamath Plan

The overall plan for the Coast Guard Service was prepared by the Officer on Special Duty (OSD), VAdm VA Kamath as required by the terms of reference in three parts and submitted on 05 Jul 1978 for the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affair (CCPA). The Plans are: -

1. Part I dealing with the Main Plan supported by the detailed appendices at Part II covered the following: -
   • A study of the various maritime agencies in India and identification of such activities, which may be dovetailed to avoid duplication of effort and ensure an integrated approach.
   • Organisation and assigning roles for the Coast Guard.
   • Terms and conditions of the service.
   • Legal aspects of raising the new Service.
   • Identification of areas in which the Coast Guard would have to rely on the Indian Navy and other Central Govt agencies.
   • Budget.
2. Part III dealing with the development plan for the Coast Guard, a six-year roll - on plan, for the period 1978-84.

Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai Inspecting the Guard of Honour While Inaugurating the Indian Coast Guard(1978)

Vice Admiral V.A.Kamath accompanying the Prime Minister after inaugural function at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai(1978)

Coast Guard Act - 1978

The process, which began nearly a decade ago, had crystallized with the formation of the Coast Guard Service by passing an Act in the Parliament on 18 Aug 1978 and brought into force on 19 Aug 1978.

“An Act to provide for the constitution and regulation of an Armed Force of the Union for ensuring the security of the maritime zones of India with a view to the protection of maritime and other national interests in such zones and for matters connected therewith. Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-ninth Year of the Republic of India”

Duties and Functions

1. It shall be the duty of the Coast Guard to protect by such measures, as it thinks fit the maritime and other national interests of India in the maritime zones of India.
2. Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection -(a), the measures referred to therein may provide for: –
   • Ensuring the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals, installations and other structures and devices in any maritime zone
   • Providing protection to fishermen including assistance to them at sea while in distress
   • Taking such measures as are necessary to preserve and protect the maritime environment and to prevent and control marine pollution
   • Assisting the customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations
   • Enforcing the provisions of such enactment as are for the time being in force in the maritime zones and
   • Such other matters, including measures for the safety of life and property at sea and collection of scientific data as may be prescribed.
3. The Coast Guard shall perform its functions under this section in accordance with, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed and such rules may, in particular, make provisions for ensuring that the Coast Guard functions in close liaison with Union agencies, institutions and authorities so as to avoid duplication of effort.

Force Level

The Coast Guard, in 1978 began with two old frigates seconded by the Navy and five small patrol vessels from MHA. Over the past two decades, it has attained a force level of 80 ships and craft and 45 aircraft and helicopters as follows:-

• AOPV - 06
• Offshore Patrol Vessels - 09
• PCVs - 02
• Fast Patrol Vessels - 15
• Inshore Patrol Vessel - 10
• ACVs - 09
• Interceptor Boats - 23
• ICs  - 23
• Dornier Aircraft - 24
• Chetak Helicopter - 17
• ALH - 04

Development Plans

In 1978, the CG Advisory Board prepared the Coast Guard Development Plan (CGDP) 1978-1990, the Kamath Plan, for the balanced development and growth of the service. In 1987, in view of the changed situation, a revised 15-year perspective plan (1985-2000) was prepared as follows:-

Type of Forces	Approved
Deep Sea Patrol Vessels	06
AOPV/OPVs	24
Rescue Cum Pollution Control Vessels	06
FPVs/IPV/SDBs	36
Interceptor Boats	36
Coastal Surveillance Aircraft (Dornier)	36
Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft	09
Rescue Helicopters (ALH)	12
Light Helicopters (Chetaks)	36
Interceptor Craft	08
Hovercraft	06
Medium Patrol Vessel	06

The planned growth of the service is being pursued through the five yearly CG Development Plans, which are co-terminus with the National Plan. While formulating them, close attention is paid to avoid overlapping of responsibilities with the Navy and other agencies like the Customs, BSF etc. and to make optimum utilisation of the available resources.

The CGDP 1985-1990 could not be formally approved due to resource crunch. The acquisition proposals were approved on a piece meal basis upto Rs 518.88 crores. The CGDP 1990-1995 was recast to 1992-1997 in line with the national plan owing to severe resource crunch leading to a two year planned holiday. The plan projection was made for Rs 2286.92 crores, but approved for Rs 1223 crores. This reduction has led to drastic cut in the projected force level. The CGDP 1997-2002 was initially projected for Rs 3277 Cr, but was approved for Rs.1850 Cr.  CGDP 2002-07 was approved for a total outlay of Rs 4317.01 Cr.  CGDP 2007-12(XI Plan) was concurred for an outlay of Rs 7000/- Cr. However, MoD directed CGHQ to revise the plan view implementation of VI CPC and CCS sanctions post 26/11.  'Development Plan', before 'Manpower', add "The revised CGDP 2007-12 was approved for ` 7930 Cr. The CGDP 2012-17 has been approved by the Govt  for an outlay of `16464 Cr."

Manpower The Coast Guard, a small force of 5440 uniformed personnel (633 officers, 4580 enrolled personnel including 82 officers and 145 personnel from the Navy and other Defence Services on deputation) is taking on the ever-increasing responsibilities in protecting the nation's interest in the maritime zones. At present, about 70% of these personnel are serving at sea or manning the front line squadrons to operate 65 ships and 44 aircraft. This is an enviable tooth to tail ratio by any standards. The cut down in the Coast Guard strength is basically to share the naval resources in training and logistics to avoid duplication of effort.

• SAMAR - War Battle
• SANGRAM – War
• SARANG – Hawk
• SAGAR – Ocean
• SANKALP - Resolute Determination
• SAMRAT - KING

FAST PATROL VESSELS

• PRIYADARSHINI (Indira Gandhi) (1917-1984) – Daughter of Jawahar Lal Nehru and Kamla Nehru, India Priyadarshini was born at Allahabad on 19 Nov 1917. Priyadarshini means ‘dear to the sight’. She was educated at Vishva Bharti University and at Oxford, and became involved in political life almost from Childhood. In 1942 she married Feroze Gandhi, a young Congress leader. She and her husband both were arrested and sentenced to 13 months imprisonment. She became member of Congress Working Committee in 1955 and was elected its President in 1959. Joining the Government in 1964 as Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Cabinet. She became Independent India’s third Prime Minister in 1966 and presided over an eventual era for the next 11 years. She was conferred the Bharat Ratna for her great leadership in the Bangladesh crisis. Mrs Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister for over 16 years till her assassination on 31 Oct 1984 at her official residence in New Delhi by two of her Security Guards.

• RAZIYA SULTANA (1240) - Was the only lady to occupy the throne of Delhi. She was a daughter of Sultan Iltutmish who, before his death, nominated her as his successor. The nobles however, disliked the idea of a female ruling over them, set up her older brother, Rukn-un-din as the Sultan In May 1236, immediately after the death of Sultan Iltutmish. But Rukn-un-din was deposed and killed a few months after his accession and his sister Raziya was installed on the throne of Delhi. She ruled for four years (1236-40). She took active part in politics as well as in wars, rode an elephant in the sight of the public and led the armies against Hindu and Muhammadan rebels alike. She possessed remarkable talents and kept intact the dominions of the Delhi Sultanate extending from Sind to Bengal. But the Muhammadan nobles could not reconcile themselves to the rule of a woman. Further, the trust that she placed in any Abyssinian slave named Yaqut gave them an excuse for an open revolt in which the lead was taken by Altuniya the governor of Sind. The rebels deposed her, but Raziya tried to save her position by marrying the rebel leader, Altuniya. This adroit move, however, could not reconcile the Muhammadan nobles who defeated and killed Raziya and her husband in Oct 1240.
• ANNIE BESANT (1847-1933) – Mrs Besant, a British socialist turned theosophist, came to India in 1893 and adopted it as her home. At first she confined her activities to religious, social and education fields. She pleaded for the equal rights for woman the organisation for workmen and the reform of land laws. She also campaigned for better housing, school meals for the poor children and for the Scouts movements. A critic of the child marriage, Mrs Besant opposed the rigidity of caste system and championed the cause of depressed classes. Mrs Besant emerged as a political leader in 1915, when she was successful in bringing a compromise between the Moderates and the Extremists of the Congress. She founded the Home Rule League in 1916 and started two journals, the New India and the Commonwealth. Mrs Besant was imprisoned for her political activities and on her release in 1917 she presided over the Calcutta session of the Congress. Later, in consultation with Indian leaders, she drafted the well-known commonwealth of India Bill. An educationist, Mrs Besant was responsible for starting institutions including the Central Hindu College at Banaras in 1890, which was nucleus for the Banaras Hindu University.
• RAJKUMARI AMRIT KAUR (1889-1964) – Belonging to the ruling family or Kapurthala in the Punjab, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was born at Lucknow and Educated in England. She came in contact with Gandhiji 1919 and soon become his close follower and a life long associate. She also served him as a secretary for sixteen years. After joining the Congress, she took an active part with Salt Satyagrah of 1930 and Quit India Movement on 1942 and suffered imprisonment. She served the Independent India as its first Health Minister. She was more involved in social service than in politics. She concerned herself with the progress of women and the Harijan uplift and endeavoured to eradicate the early marriage, purdah and illiteracy. She was the founder member of All India Women’s Conference and the founder President of Indian Council for Child Welfare.
• KANAKLATA BARUA (1926-1942) - She was born at Village Borangabari Distt Darrang, Assam on 1926. Her father’s name was Shri Krishna Kant Barua. She was educated upto primary standard. She took part in Quit India Movement in 1942. The group of local leaders planned to hoist the Congress Flag on all police stations in district on 20 Sep 1942. An incident occurred at Gohpur where five thousand people from Choiduar region (250 sq miles) gathered in front of the local police stations to hoist the Congress Flag. A man from the crowd attempted to set the nearby cook’s shade ablaze while some other tried to disarm the constables by trying to snatch away their muskets. In this confused situation, one of the constables without waiting for any order from the officer fired two shots killing a sixteen year old girl. Kanaklata Barua and seriously injuring Mukumdaam Kakoti, who died later, Hemkanta Barua. The way Kanaklata Barua braved the police bullets to hoist the National Flag on the Guhpur Police Station makes an immortal story of martyrdom for the cause of freedom.
• BHIKHAIJI CAMA (1861-1936) - She was born at Bombay in 1861. Her father’s name was Sorabji Framji Patel. She was originally named Bhikhaiji Patel. She was married on 03 Aug 1885 to Rustam Cama. In 1902 she went to London where she came in contact with Dadabhai Naoroji. She designed the first National Flag, which she unfurled at the Socialist Congress at Stuttgart, West Germany in 1907. She also met many Indian revolutionaries in Europe when France joined England in the war against Germany. Cama was sent to prison where she remained for three years till the end of hostilities. She was not allowed to return to India after the war and it was only in 1935 when she was 74 and ill that she allowed to come back. She died in a Bombay Hospital in 1936.
• SUCHETA KRIPLANI (1908-1974) - She was born at Ambala in Haryana on 25 Jun 1908. She was daughter of SN Majumdar, a nationalist medical officer. She had a brilliant educational career and started her life as a teacher. While teaching at BHU, she came in contact with Acharya Kriplani whom she married in 1936. She started her active political activities in 1939 and was closely associated with the nationalist movement and with the Indian National Congress. She was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1946, and worked with Mahatama Gandhi during the Noakhali riots for Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1962, she became a minister in UP Cabinet and then Chief Minister in Oct 1963. She retired from active politics in 1971 and died on 01 Dec 1974.
• KAMLA DEVI (born 1903) – Born in a wealthy family of South Karnataka, She was married at a very young age but became a widow while yet at school. She broke away from tradition and married the poet Harindranath Chattopadhya, the brother of Sarojini Naidu, in 1920 though the marriage was dissolved in 1933. She came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and actively participated in Non Co-operation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement. In 1948, she joined the Congress Socialist party. She was intensely interested in Women’s movement art and culture, and held many high offices, including membership of the Congress Working Committee Presidentship of All India Women’s Conference, and of the All India Handicrafts Board. In 1966, she was given the Magassaysay Award for community leadership.
• SAROJINI NAIDU (1878-1949) - Poet and statesmen. She was actively associated in Home Rule Movement and in 1925 became the President of Congress at Rampur. She became a close associate of Mahatama Gandhi and Nehru and played an important role in Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930. She was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement. DURGA BAI – Political and social worker, she became interested in Freedom Movement since 1921 and actively participated in Civil Disobedience Movement. In 1930, she was imprisoned for her political activities.
• DURGABAI DESHMUKH - A political and social worker.  Born in a village near Rajamundry in Andhra Pradesh, she was married at the age of eight years,   and became a widow at a very young age.  She became interested in freedom movement since 1921 and actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment in May 1930 for her political activities.  She later studied law and started practicing in 1942, and was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1946. In 1953, she married Chintamani Dwarkanath Deshmukh, the then Union Minister.  She has been closely associated with a number of national and international organisations in the field of culture and education.  She established the Central Social Welfare Board and acted as its Chairman from 1953 to 1963.
• Kasturba Gandhi - She was the daughter of Gokuladas Makharji of Porbandar.  She was married to Gandhi at the age of 13.  Simple and self-effacing, she stood devotedly by her great husband in all his trials and tribulations. She was in the thick of the Freedom Movement and went to jail several times.  The shock of country wide arrests during Quit India Movement deteriorated her health and she suffered a severe heart attack.  She breathed her last on 22 Feb 1944.
• Aruna Asaf Ali -     She was born in a Bengali Brahma Samaj family at Kalka in Haryana.  She married Asaf Ali a prominent lawyer of Delhi against convention. She actively participated in the National Movement for Independence. Following the arrest of all congress leaders in 1942,  she went underground to guide the movement evading police arrest.  She became the symbol of the spirit of youth in this country guiding and leading the National Movement from underground  She remained underground till 1946 when the warrant of arrest was withdrawn.  Aruna belonged to the heroic age of Freedom Movement.  With this background, after independence she could not adjust to the political realities and chose to live in retirement till her death on 29 July 1996.  She was awarded Bharat Ratna (1997) posthumously.
• Subhadra Kumari Chauhan -  She was a great Hindi poetess who combined in her personality the patriotism of Joan of Arc and the lyricism of Meera.  She was born in a village called Nihalpur in Allahabad.  Married to Thakur Laxman Singh of Khandwa in 1919, she became a devoted wife and  a  mother. She plunged into National Struggle and was the first woman Satyagrahi to court arrest in Nagpur.  She wrote highly inspiring patriotic poems like ‘Senani Ka Swagat’:  ‘Veeronka Kaise ho Vasant’.  Her ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ was one of the most recited  and  sung  poems in Hindi  Literature.  She died  in  a  car  accident  on 15 Feb 1949.
• Meera Behn - She was born as Madeleine Slade in an aristocratic family in England.  She read Romain Rolland’s book ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ at one sitting and this changed the course of her life.  She came to India and remained with Gandhiji.  Gandhiji gave her the name Meera in view of her devotion to him and her dedication and service to India.  She accompanied Gandhiji to the Round Table Conference in 1932 and acted as Gandhiji’s interpreter in the continents on their way back.  She joined the Satyagraha Movement and was imprisoned once with Kasturba and twice by herself.  She was arrested along with Bapu on 9 Aug 1942 and was in the Agha khan Palace Detention camp till May 1944.  On 18 Jan 1959, she left the shores of India and settled in a small village near Vienna and died there on  20 Jul 1982.  She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in January 1982.                                                                                                                         
• Savitribai Phule - Savitribai Phule was born on 03 January 1831.     Savitribai Phule understood the importance of education and educating women became her life mission.  She was wife of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule who initiated pioneering work in education and shared his thoughts on the importance of women’s education.  Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Phule together started first girls school.  Eventually their joint efforts began to show its effects and it was so mentioned in a report compiled by Education Inspector Cap. J.F Lefter on 26 December 1856.  Later in the year 1852, school for the untouchables was started.  Girls from these castes began to join the school.Pioneering work of Savitribai did not limit to education itself but liberating women from the cultural patterns of male dominated society became the prime cause of her living.  She supported widow remarriage and initiated the ashram place for Brahmin widows.  She also supported the concept of court marriages.  She was appointed as the president of Satyashodhak Samaj Parishad in 1893.  On 10 March 1897, Savitribai Phule expired while serving the plague victims.