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Context

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its 48th Raising Day on February 1, 2024, in New Delhi

Details

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its 48th Raising Day on February 1, 2024, in New Delhi, commemorating its remarkable journey from a modest beginning in 1977 to becoming a formidable force in maritime security.
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
• It was formally established on 1 February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• Indian Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi
• The Indian Coast Guard's motto is "वयम रक्षामः" (Vayam Rakshamah), which translates from Sanskrit as "We Protect".

History:

• In September 1974, the Indian cabinet set up the Rustamji Committee, under the chairmanship of Khusro Faramurz Rustamji, the committee submitted its recommendation for the establishment of the Indian Coast Guard under the Ministry of Defence on 31 July 1975.
• An interim Indian Coast Guard came into being on 1 February 1977, equipped with two small corvettes and five patrol boats transferred from the Navy. The duties and functions of the service were formally defined in the Coast Guard Act, which was passed by India's parliament on 18 August 1978 and came into immediate effect.

Missions of Indian Coast Guard:

• Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations
• Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea
• Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control
• Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations
• Law enforcement in territorial as well as international waters
• Scientific data collection and support
• National defence during hostilities (under the operational control of the Indian Navy)

Additional responsibilities of the Indian Coast Guard

• Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the Chairman of OSCC constituted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), of which the Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group is a member.
• National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA) – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the NMSARCA for executing / coordinating search and rescue (SAR) missions
• Lead Intelligence Agency (LIA) – For coastal and sea borders
• Coastal Security – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the commander of coastal command and is responsible for overall coordination between central and state agencies in all matters relating to coastal security.
• Pioneering the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' missions, the ICG has inducted numerous indigenous ships, aircraft, and equipment. With 21 ships under construction, including Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs), and ongoing procurement of aircraft, the ICG continues to improve its operational capabilities.
• The ICG is enhancing the operational capabilities through the procurement of eight Dornier aircraft and six Multi-Mission Maritime Surveillance aircraft. Six Dornier aircraft have been upgraded with state-of-the-art systems/sensors for the modernization of ICG aircraft as part of the 17 ICG Dornier Mid-Life Upgrade contract with M/s HAL, Kanpur. It is noteworthy that the majority of the Coast Guard's assets are domestically manufactured, with approximately 90% of the capital budget allocated to indigenous assets.

Regional HQ

Conclusion

With 152 ships and 78 aircraft in its arsenal, the ICG is on track to achieve its targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft by 2030.

PRACTICE QUESTION Discuss the role of Indian Coast Guard for sustainable progress in the blue economy and safe maritime transportation. 150 words