Interview

When the late G K Moopanar walked away with a substantial number of Congressmen from Tamil Nadu in 1996 to form the Tamil Maanila Congress, little did he know that one year after his death, the TMC merged with the Congress and cease to exist. The party patriarch died, TMC leaders elected his son G K Vasan -- till then an unknown -- as their president. It was rumoured that Vasan became the choice because there were too many aspirants for the post. After Vasan took over, a series of consultations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi led the way for the TMC's merger with the parent organisation. Today he is central shipping Minister but again nothing been heard from his ministry Excerpts from a telephonic interview by Vaidehi Sachin
What are the plans for 2010 for shipping industry?
The government increasing the port capacity to nearly 1,000 million tons a year with projects allotted by the end of 2011-12, but legal and administrative delays hindered the programme. Now, the major ports are likely to have a capacity of 743 mt of cargo by March 31, 2012. I have advised the environment ministry that all stakeholders, including the shipping ministry, will be consulted before the finalisation of any policy. The point is that we don’t have any time to lose in expanding the capacity of our ports when India’s economic growth and share in world trade are expected to rise.
Nearly 60, 000 workers from all the ports in the country had threatened to go on a strike unless their demands, which included getting their arrears from january 1, 2007 why the workers are going on strike frequently?
They met me and I re-assuring and some of their demands have been met. The strike would have affected nearly 1,000 officers at the Kolkata port and nearly 3,000 grade III and IV officers. We are taking some strong measures to prevent strike like situations.
What are measures taken by the Shipping Minister to encourage private sector investment in the shipping sector?
We have takenall possible measures to encourage private sector investment in the shipping sector as major ports alone require over Rs 36,000 crore private investment by March 2012. Our ports could handle an estimated one billion tonne traffic by 2011-12...Rs 36,868 crore private investment is required for the major ports' capacity addition and the government has introduced greater transparency in bidding system.
Why The Ministry of Shipping is nearly doubling the initial cost estimates of the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project?
The government is yet to take a view on shipping subsidy provided to shipbuilders and discussions are on. Initially, the project was to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,400 crore. But we are revising the cost estimates, part of which would be requested for immediately to clear dues pending to the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI).
After assuming charge at the shipping ministry last year,you had announced that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government would complete the Sethusamudram Project ?
Yes that is on my priority list,See as it is beneficial for the country and for the state of Tamil Nadu.The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been entrusted to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the alternative alignment, proposed between Dhanushkodi and Lands End, Rameshwaram Island. The ports capacity including at the 12 state-owned major ports and over 200 minor ports could be over a billion tonne by the end of the 11th Plan, he said, adding the last fiscal saw the domestic ports handling about 733 million tonnes cargo out of which 530 million tonnes were handled by the 12-major ports.

Any plans to trifurcate the directorate general of shipping (DGS) with a view to create separate directorates for each of the three regions?
The government has no plans to trifurcate the directorate general of shipping (DGS) to create separate directorates.
How will you strengthen the shipping administration?
We have made entire department techno savvy. Strengthening the shipping administration directorate and its allied offices have been fully computerized and connected by internet. The training examination and certification processes in Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs) have been tested under Quality Certification System ISO 9001. The technical officers were given training in technical and administrative functions with a view to improve their performance.
How to cope up with increasing work load?
By growth in shipping activities and international trade, the directorate has set up offices of MMDs at four new locations at Kandla, Haldia, Paradip and New Mangalore. MMDs of Kochi and Kandla have also been upgraded to a regional level. The directorate has started an e-governance project that enables users to access information and processes regarding regulatory service of the directorate online.
Some political pundits allege that you are a non performing minister.
I don't think those reports have any validity .It’s their view and opinion. I no need to clarify on this my work will speak.
Then why are such reports against you to newspapers almost daily?
As long as the media is there, such reports are bound to appear. This is not new for any politician.
So you are denying the reports...
I am just telling you the facts (laughs).


What is opinion about Cruise shipping?
Cruise shipping would be a path breaking development in India's efforts to carve a prominent space in world tourism and it would showcase India as a major source and destination of world tourism.The number of cruise ships which called at Indian ports increased in the year while the number of cruise passengers too saw a jump.Italian luxury liner Silversea Cruises, which sails across seven continents in over 80 countries, covering more than 400 destinations already announced launching services in the country at the close of the year.
If we had to look back do you feel sad that there will not be a party called the Tamil Maanila Congress now?
On the contrary, I was happy that I could do what my father wanted to do. I knew I was doing my part in a proper way.
You were never in the limelight when your father was alive. But after he passed away, the party made you president. Were you a reluctant leader?
I had all along been working for the party, but silently. Everybody in the party knew what I was doing. I had been working not only for the TMC, but for the Congress too. I worked for the Congress from 1984 onwards, but without making any noise about my work. To me, it was duty first and publicity next. So, when the senior party leaders asked me to head the party, I agreed. That was because I really wanted the TMC to rejoin the Congress one day. After all, that is where all of us belong. I am sure I have done my duty well. I have fulfilled the wish of my father.