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Rajnath Singh urges Indian Coast Guards to run 'Swachch Sagar Campaign'

by India Blooms News Service 09 Sep 2016, 08:29 am

Panaji, Goa, Sept 9 (IBNS): Delivering an address while attending the commissioning ceremony of ICGS Sarathi in Goaon Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh urged the Indian Coast Guards to run a 'Swachch Sagar Campaign', akin to the the one done on land by the government.

"On the land surface, the government is running 'Swachch Bharat Campaign'. Coast Guard should run 'Swachch Sagar Campaign' on the same lines," Singh said.

He also directed the company to look after the marine ecosystem.

"Indian Coast Guard should also work towards the safety and conservation of India's marine ecosystem," the Home Minister said.

Acknowledging the Coast Guard's job as 'challenging', he said that maritime terrorism remains a major threat, but added that the Indian outfit is well equipped to handle an attack.

"The job of Coast Guard is extremely challenging as they are responsible for security of coastal areas as well as the territorial waters. Maritime terrorism continues to be a security threat as we have a long coastline with many big cities and security installations," he said.

"India has been successful in addressing the issues pertaining to maritime security post Mumbai terror attack in 2008," he added.

Hailing the Indian Coast Guards as the central pillar of maritime security, the home minister said, "Indian Coast Guard is the 'Central Pillar' of India's coastal security architecture with two other important pillars of Navy and Marine Police."

"Centre has adopted a comprehensive and integrated coastal security scheme to strengthen India's coastal security network," Singh said.

"I am proud of our Coast Guard officers and jawans who ensure coastal security in extremely challenging conditions," the HM added.