Dg Shipping — recognition to marine academies and granting rps licenses

Address:

Thane, Maharashtra, 421204

1. At the outset we humbly request that our following submissions contained in 5. Pages be read. This we are writing because we had gone through this process and experienced the scam and malpractices followed at the office of rpsl agencies and the marine institutions. Our son has done marine engineering. Following is the excerpts of our experience. We have documents in support of the scam by the rpsl agencies.

We will be highly obliged, if a word/line of confirmation is written as an acknowledgement of having received and read this letter. A separate communication is also being sent to aaj tak, ndtv, abp, india today and other news papers with supporting documents. An application under rti is also being submitted for providing certain details about. From d. G. Shipping and/or its officials.

2. We understand that you are the distinguished personalities who are in-charge and mandated to administer and implement the policies under the shipping & maritime laws through directorate general of shipping, ministry of shipping, govt. Of india. We know that there is a separate ministry for law and justice for maritime regulations.

3.. The directorate general of shipping (Dg shipping) is a duly constituted body under the laws of india. This body grants recognitions, approvals, consents and licenses for various purposes more elaborately described on the website of dg shipping.

4.in mumbai and navi mumbai the maritime academies and the agencies for giving employment opportunities and education in shipping have grownup tremendously in the recent past like mushrooms.

5. It appears that the approval has been given by dg shipping to various maritime academies/institutes under haste and without applying the mind. This can be observed from the educational, professional and cultural background of the promoters of these institutes. Any person with huge financial potential is floating the institute with the blessings of dg shipping. The entire process of granting recognition to these institutes requires to be revisited. Once the recognition is received, these institutes do the business and collects huge amount towards donation from the students. Needless to mention in cash and cash only. We will be writing separately to the concerned authorities to enquire the sources of funds/income of these institutes.

6. Also, there are grave mistakes while granting the rps license. At present more than 400 agencies have been granted this rps license. Has dg shipping enquired the background of the promoters of these agencies. The modus operandi of these agencies (Off course approved and with the knowledge of officials of dg shipping) is as under:

I) advertise in free job portals and by misrepresentation about various vacancies on the vessels in india and overseas;
Ii) influence the cadets/seafarers with false assurances either by the owners of these agencies or their so-called staff and associates.
Iii) huge amount of money is taken from each candidate in cash ranging from rs. 2.50 lakhs to 4.00 lakhs for giving jobs on the vessels.
Iv) rpsl agencies convert part of this cash into usd and give it to the seaman /cadet for handing over to another agent who will come to receive him on the foreign airport.
V) rpsl agent issue fake appointment letters. Further, these rpsl agencies represent that they have been authorized by their foreign principals who are ship owners/crew managers to hire/recruit cadets from india. Accordingly, rpsl agencies issue okay to board, guarantee letter and a letter addressed to the immigration officer of indian international airport authorities to allow the cadet to travel abroad.
Vi) in fact, no vacancies exist on the foreign vessel. The cadet is kept in a hotel or dormitory for days ranging from 3 days to 30 days and then cadet is sent back to india.
Vii) after reaching india, when the cadet approaches these rpsl agencies, their answer is

“yah to apna apna nasib hai. Joinging nahi hua to hum kya kar saktay hai. Paisa wapas nahi milega. Hum d. G. Shipping kay officers ko janatay hai. Unko bhi yah sab pata hai. Unka hissa unko pahunch gaya hai. Who tumhari koi madat nahi karenge.

Meaning in english: if joining did not happen, its your destiny. We cannot do anything. We will not return your money as we have not received it but paid to foreign agent. Even if you complaint to d. G. Shipping, it will be of no use as they know this long going practice and the officials at various levels of d. G. Shipping have been properly taken care of.

Viii) rpsl agencies threaten the cadets of dire consequences, if they ask for return of their money.

7.in this scenario, the candidates do not get help of police as the money is paid in cash and the authorities are well managed by these agencies.

8. It can be observed that many shipping companies in india and abroad has put a disclaimer on their website mentioning that they have not authorized any agencies in india including dg approved and rpsl companies to provide placement services and jobs opportunities.

9. The modus operandi of getting the dg approval/recognitions for promoting such institute and getting rps license is well known to everyone at the office of dg shipping right from the sweeper to the top officials. Everyone is happy with their share of butter.

10. We have come across two fraud agencies viz kent line ship management pvt. Ltd. At navi mumbai and silvoca associates (Kl005), kolkata having office at thane, a rpsl company. There are substantial number of complaints of the seafarers against various rpsl agencies who are fraud and their promoters are cheaters whose wrong doings business are with the kind blessings of dg shipping. There are various acts, rules, regulations, guidelines, notifications and circulars the implementation and administration of which is under dg shipping.

11. We filed complaint with kasarvadvli police station, thane, maharashtra on 1st february 2017 against silvoca associates. But the police did not take any action for 8 months. After the order from the hon’ble thane court under section 154 of crpc, the fir has been filed by police against silvoca associates and its directors in kasarvadavli police station, thane on 14th october 2017 (Fir no. I205). The matter for last 2 months is still under enquiry. Now about 10 months passed. Justice delayed is justice denied. We can provide the copy of fir if you advise. Is this the way the present govt. And its depts. Work? From the owners of few agencies we understand that all these agencies and academies have established an excellent repo by which they are managing the dg shipping offices very well. The following suggestions may be considered:

I) revisit the process/procedures and documentation required for granting license and recognitions or approvals.
Ii) the basis for granting and who granted all the approval and licenses in previous 5 years be thoroughly verified. The properties of the approving authorities may be checked.
Iii) instance of holding any dis-appropriate properties vis a vis their salary income can be checked as also other sources of income of the concerned officials granting rps licenses and approvals to institutions.
Iv) what are the sources of funds to maintain good offices and infrastructure by these agencies and institutions.
V) the promoters of the fake/black listed agencies shall also be disqualified for life to promote any agencies. Their names should be displayed on the website of dg shipping.
Vi) penalties and imprisonment shall be incorporated for non-compliance of any license /approval conditions, fraud, etc. This should be in addition to the provisions under the indian penal code.

12. This we are writing only because the present govt. Pretends and claims that it is committed to transparency, honesty, non-corruption, good governance, fair practices and acting in the well-being of the citizens and putting india on a global map of well governed countries. The name of dg shipping is not taken in good sense in the world maritime industry.

13. We know that our aforesaid submissions will be very promptly and conveniently treated as baseless allegations without any verifiable substance. This will be thrown in the dust bin. Vigilance also want the evidence from the complainant who has no source or access to the records of dg shipping.

14. However, those officials having good conscious, moral values and ethics in their life can suo moto initiate appropriate enquires into these matters which is within their authority and jurisdiction if they seriously act in true letter and spirit. This may necessarily involve other authorities such as enforcement directorate, income tax, etc.

Else, continue with bureaucracy, have a very ordinary working life by holding prestigious positions with assured monthly income, job security that too without any accountability. These agencies and institutes are there to take care of the life after retirement.

Most respectfully we thank you for reading this submission.