New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) The Bill to provide for the regulation of recycling of ships by setting certain standards and laying down statutory mechanism for enforcements of such standards was introduced by Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Introducing the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019, Mr Mandaviya said, 'Shipping is a very big employment generating industry. Moreover, more than 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh people get jobs due to recycling of ships.'
'Out of 52,000 merchant ships, 1,000 goes for recycling. So a lot of man power is required for the same,' he said.
The Minister said a ship owner must apply to the National Authority for a ready for recycling certificate before recycling his ship. The Ship Recycler must prepare a ship recycling plan which should be approved by the Competent Authority.
The Bill defines ship recycling as the dismantling of a ship at a facility to recover the components and materials for reuse, and taking care of the hazardous material so produced. It includes associated operations such as storage and treatment of materials and components on site.
Initiating the debate, Amee Yajnik of Congress said, 'I beg to differ here on the Bill as the Hong Kong
Convention is quite weak.'
Three issues rule this industry-- breaking of the ship, occupational hazards involved and the third being the ship's flag.
'How the ship's residue will be treated. This needs to be decided. Moreover, environmental damage should be quantified. Transparency factor is also missing in the Bill,' Ms Yajnik added.
BJP's Ashwini Vaishnaw said a ship is a floating town in itself. Building a ship is very complex, so is its breaking.
'Many people say that by ship breaking, we are making our country a dumping yard, but that is not true,' he added.
As breaking of ship is hazardous for the workers, Mr Vaishnaw said there should be proper training of the workers regarding safety when they work.
Demanding setting up of shipping industry in Odisha, the BJP Member said, 'A lot of employment opportunities will be created for the people residing there.'
AITC's Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said recycling of ship is not only hazardous for environment, but also for the labourers who are involved in the same.
Supporting the Bill, AIADMK's Vijila Sathyananth said environmental safety should be kept in mind while getting rid of hazardous materials on board a ship.
'Shipping is a wonderful industry as it generates 400 million tonnes steel. The passage of this Bill will promote our economy,' she added.
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