Chennai Port Trust aid for dependents of deceased staff

Published in Sagar Sandesh Maritime Weekly on July 11, 2012
Source:http://www.sagarsandesh.com/epaper/
Showing its human face to the dependents of those deceased employees, the Chennai Port Trust on June 29 announced that financial assistance would be provided them to lead a decent life.
Addressing the media during the equity share (in a form of cheque)handing over ceremony to the officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for Chennai Port Connectivity Project at the Chennai Port Trust premises, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan announced that his Ministry has recently gave its accent to the proposal by the port to distribute financial assistance to the dependents of deceased port employees.
Mr Vasan said “Though there is no rule in the Shipping Ministry that stipulates compulsory financial assistance to the dependents, the Chennai Port Trust, by taking the extra effort, is clearly demonstrating that it understands the agony of those families, who had lost their breadwinners while serving the port.”
Flanked by Shipping Secretary Mr P K Sinha and Chennai Port Trust chairman Mr Atulya Misra, The Minister also stated that the compassionate appointment to the dependents of the employees who died while in service was taking a very long waiting period. Hence, Chennai Port Trust would provide an amount of Rs.1.25 lakhs to Rs.5 lakhs as financial assistance depending on the number of years they are waiting for.
This novel scheme was announced first in Vizag Port Trust. On the same line, this scheme has been approved for Chennai Port. So far, 663 out of 868 dependants have submitted their required particulars and after scrutiny, they will be provided financial assistance during July, Minister Vasan said.
Though the Port has lost its steady revenue source due to ban on coal and iron ore handling, it would spend nearly Rs 35 crore for the scheme, which was aimed at giving a helping hand to the dependent families of the deceased port employees.
MINISTER HANDS OVER RS 51 CRORE EQUITY SHARE:
During the ceremony, the Minister Vasan handed over a Cheque for Rs. 50.50 crores (Rs. 43 Crores of Chennai Port Trust and Rs. 7.5 Crores of Ennore Port) towards Equity Share Contribution for Chennai Port Connectivity Project.
During the function, the Minister dwelt at length on the various development projects and initiatives taken up by Port Trust.
Both Chennai and Ennore Ports are contributing a total amount of Rs.284.43 crores which is almost 50 percent of the project cost. So far, including the latest share contribution of Rs. 50.50 crores, a total amount of Rs.135 crores has already been paid by both the Ports and the remaining amount would be paid very shortly.
This road connectivity project is being implemented at a cost of Rs.600 crores and is expected to be completed by June 2013. Till now, around 32% of the work has been completed.
He also informed that land acquisition has been completed and for the rehabilitation of affected fishermen, necessary fishing stalls are being provided for their livelihood.
The Minister also stated that the Vessel Traffic Management Services (VTMS) Project of Chennai Port has already been awarded to Kongsberg Norcontrol, Norway at a cost of Rs.9.81 crores. This includes Operation and Maintenance for 5 years after 1 year warranty period. The work of installation of VTMS has already been completed.