THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 28 | 2 MAR 2012
MMD: Another Strange Story!
One vessel has all the documentations ready, but can't sail as it ails from various technical ills. Another vessel is technically healthy and fit, but can't sail, as documentations are not ready.
In both the cases, the villain is Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), who issued documents in a hurry to MV Campbell Bay and sent the ship with all papers intact. But, after a few trials at Port Blair, acute vibration on third deck was observed. The ship is undergoing another trial with Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS) team in Port Blair this week. The same IRS had conducted the vibration reading at Goa and had overlooked the issue.
MV Samsun, a Turkish vessel on wet lease after a long wait for want of some documents, made its first sailing. One Mr Sinha of MMD had come to Port Blair and made an exhaustive list of requirements and left to Kolkata. Another official came and took his own sweet time to complete the documentation, putting both the owner and the administration into trouble.
Why MMD plays such gimmicks with Andaman and Nicobar Admn? Nothing comes free anywhere. However, you cannot expect a govt department paying another government dept for quick service. In short, a government department cannot do business as a private firm does.
MMD does not have an office in Port Blair. Every time, an official has to come on requisition for certification purpose from mainland. And, they too work like any other government department.
No comments:
Post a Comment