Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether there is shortage of ships and manpower in the Indian Coast Guard;

(b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps to provide new patrolling ships and recruitment of additional coast guard personnel for the Coast Guard;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the progress made so far in this regard?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) to (d) A Statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1949 FOR ANSWER ON 19.8.2013

The Coast Guard has been adequately equipped to face the challenges of national security and the role assigned to it by the Government. However, in an expanding organization like the Coast Guard, procurement of additional equipment and vessels and provision of requisite manpower is an ongoing process. With a view to augment the force level of Indian Coast Guard, contracts for acquisition of 120 surface platforms (ships / boats / hovercraft) and 16 aircraft have been concluded during the period from 2009 till date. More than 4000 additional posts have been sanctioned for the Indian Coast Guard during the same period.

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