Cabinet clears decks for more seafarer jobs

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the model memorandum of understanding (MoU) for unilateral or bilateral recognition of certificates of competency of seafarers, which will help Indian seafarers find opportunities on ships under the flag of other countries.

The MoU has been approved pursuant to Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) of Seafarers, 1978, to be signed between the Directorate General of Shipping and its counterparts in foreign countries, with the approval of the ministers of shipping and external affairs.

“The unilateral MoU would facilitate unilateral recognition by another country of the certificates issued by the Directorate General of Shipping to Indian seafarers, without seeking similar recognition by India of the certificates issued by that country,” an official statement said.

Indian seafarers will be eligible to be placed on ships under the flag of another country for employment, thus leading to increased employment opportunities, the government said. “The bilateral MoU would, therefore, make the seafarers of both countries eligible for employment on ships of either party, based on the certificates so recognised,” it said.

DAMAN TO BECOME TAXATION HQ

The Cabinet also approved making Daman the headquarters of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu regions for taxation purposes, which will lead to common taxation authorities for goods and services tax (GST), value added tax (VAT) and state excise for all three regions. The government amended various tax acts covering the three tax systems, which will lead to saving for the exchequer and ensuring uniformity, stability and consistency in day-to-day functioning of taxation authorities, the statement said.