Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a)        what specific steps have been taken post 26/11 to ensure better co-ordination between our intelligence agencies and to ensure intelligence ownership of action and for joint action between various agencies;

(b)        what steps have been taken to close down traditional smuggling routes and channels across our coast as part of our coastal security strengthening; and

(c)        what time frame is expected for our coast to be fully secure?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a):       An executive order has been issued on 31.12.2008 under which the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), under the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been obliged to share intelligence with all other agencies, including agencies of the State Governments, Union Territories. Likewise, all other agencies have been obliged to share intelligence with MAC. MAC has also been made operational on a 24 X 7 basis. All agencies have nominated their representatives to MAC.

L.S.U.S.Q.NO. 312 FOR 18.2.2009

Further action is also underway to strengthen the connectivity between the Intelligence Bureau at the Central Level and the units and the Special Branches at the State level.

(b) & (c): At present, there is a 3 tier arrangement for Coastal Security comprising the State Police in the coastal areas and near coastal waters, the Coast Guard in territorial waters and the Navy in the High Seas. With a view to strengthening the arrangements for Coastal Security, the Central Government had launched a Supplemental Coastal Security Scheme in 2005. under which assistance is being provided to coastal States including Maharashtra for setting up Police Stations, Out Posts, Check Posts and Barracks, along with jeeps and motor cycles for patrolling along the coast and provision for 204 patrol boats, which are being procured centrally. The States have also been asked to conduct a vulnerability analysis with a view to identifying further gaps which may require to be filled up in terms of additional Police Stations, etc.

After the incidents in Mumbai, further detailed reviews of the Coastal Security arrangements have been carried out and it has been decided to take up a number of additional measures for augmenting the assets of the Coast Guard and the Navy, putting in place institutional mechanisms for intelligence sharing and inter-agency coordination, registration of boats and issue of identity cards to fishermen and the establishing effective Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Systems, etc.

Strengthening of coastal security is an ongoing process, and further initiatives and measures, as found necessary from time to time would be taken on a continuing basis.