The Central Government has notified Marine Aids to Navigation (Duties of Director General) Rules, 2022 in order to provide duties and functions of the Director General.
Key points:
- The Government of India through Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways shall be the controlling authority for matters pertaining to Marine Aids to Navigation including Vessel Traffic Services.
- The National and International obligations pertaining to Aids to Navigation and Training and Certification on Aids to Navigation including Vessel Traffic Service, shall be fulfilled by the Director General.
- There shall be Marine Navigation Training Institutes to impart training on Aids to Navigation and Vessel Traffic Services and the Director General shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to the Training Institute.
- Duties of Director General: The Director General shall be responsible for discharging the following duties:-
-
- Executing administrative, technical, financial and statutory functions as head of the Directorate General;
- Implementing provisions of the Act;
- Advising the Government of India for all matters related to Aids to Navigation;
- Managing the Marine Aids to Navigation dues in accordance with the Marine Aids to Navigation (Accounting and Financial Power) Rules, 2022;
- Discharging the role of Member Secretary to the Central Advisory Committee on Marine Aids to Navigation;
- Representing as a national member at International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities;
- Liaisoning with national and international organisations on matters pertaining to Marine Aids to Navigation;
- Implementing International Conventions and Treaties pertaining to Aids to Navigation, to which India is a party.
- Entering into bilateral or multilateral memorandum of understanding with the countries on the matters related with development of Aids to Navigation and training;
- Inspecting Local Aids to Navigation along the coastline of India;
- Advising State Government, State Maritime Boards, Major and Minor Ports, Department of Fisheries and other organisations on the provision and improvement of Local Aids to Navigation;
- Managing and operating of certain Vessel Traffic Service, at the request of respective Vessel Traffic Service provider on payment basis, as per the direction of Central Government;
- Researching, developing and adopting of evolving technologies including development of test beds in the field of Aids to Navigation;
- Planning, developing, executing and managing General Aids to Navigation along the coast line of India including the maritime zones;
- Harmonising operation of Aids to Navigation;
- Facilitating unobstructed functioning of General Aids to Navigation;
- Ensuring uninterrupted availability of General Aids to Navigation with specified accuracy as per standards stipulated by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities;
- Planning, developing, executing and managing Heritage Lighthouses for cultural, educational and
tourism purposes; - Formulating risk assessment policy for augmentation of Aids to Navigation including Vessel Traffic Services along the coast line of India including the maritime zones;
- Developing and managing a national training plan for capacity building in the field of Aids to Navigation and Vessel Traffic Service;
- Managing national data bank of Aids to Navigation and Vessel Traffic Service personnel and their status
on training; - Training and certification of Aids to Navigation and Vessel Traffic Service personnel.
- Accreditation of training organisations and follow-up audits;
- Marking of wrecks in fairways as per the direction of Central Government;
- Undertaking periodical appraisal to the Central Government on matters related to the Directorate General
of Aids to Navigation;