COAST GUARD WILL GET MORE RESPONSIBILITIES

COAST GUARD WILL GET MORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Subject : Defence

Context : National Security Advisor AjitDoval commissioned Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Sajag and dedicated it to the nation for safeguarding the maritime interests on May 29, 2021. OPV Sajag is constructed by M/s Goa Shipyard Limited.

Concept :

Indian Coast Guard (ICG):

• The concept of forming ICG came into being post 1971 war, when it was assessed that maritime borders are equally vital as land borders.
• It was established on 18th August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India as an independent Armed force of India.
• The blueprint for a multi-dimension Coast Guard was conceived by the visionary Rustamji Committee even as the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) was being negotiated and India’s assets off Mumbai high were growing.
• It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• Headquarter: New Delhi.
• It has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
• It is responsible for marine environment protection in maritime zones of India and is coordinating authority for response to oil spills in Indian waters.