The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has highlighted shortcomings in implementation of the government's ambitious Coastal Security Scheme in Maharashtra launched in 2005.
"No joint patrolling was done by the coastal police with other services indicating the probability of critical gaps in coastal patrolling," the auditor noted.
A CAG report, tabled in the state legislature today, pointed to delay in construction of coastal police stations, check posts and repairing boats, deficiency in planning for the scheme, manpower shortage, shortfall in training staff and non-functioning of biometric cards given to fishermen.
Of the 25 proposed Coastal Police Stations, eight have been set up so far and work on two is in progress. Of the 32 check posts approved, 26 were formed within the time-frame at a cost of Rs 67.90 lakh. The remaining six were delayed due to non-availability of land and NOC (no objection certificate) from Coastal Zone Management Authority, it said.
"The construction cost of two check posts had already escalated from Rs two lakh per unit to Rs 22.70 lakh and Rs 32.35 lakh as of December 2014."
CAG observed that there was a shortage of manpower, shortfalls in training of non-technical staff and short supply of equipment.
"GPS systems were not fitted in 34 out of 69 operational boats. Against the total requirement of 426 bulletproof jackets in five coastal districts, only 170 were supplied by the Home Department. The patrolling boats were grossly underutilised and not maintained adequately.
The coastal police do not have jetties of their own in any of the five coastal districts. Consequently, the patrolling boats are anchored either at jetties owned by Maharashtra Maritime Board or by private operators, the report maintained.
