Dated: March 31, 2005

   
     It has been observed in the Directorate that the Engineering Branch and Nautical Branch have been receiving large number of requests for dispensation for officers for manning of the ship.  For safe operation of ship, it is of utmost importance that the ship is manned by qualified officers and in full complement.  The dispensation has to be extremely rare and can be considered only on exceptional grounds.  In view of this, It has been decided that such dispensation will be considered henceforth only in exceptional cases.      

2.   It has also been brought to the notice of the Directorate that some of the shipping companies might be getting undue financial benefits due to dispensation which adversely affect employment opportunities of the qualified officers as well as jeopardize the safe operation of the ship. To discourage this tendency, if at all prevalent, it has been decided that henceforth such dispensation will be considered provided the maximum basic of the relevant pay scale of the rank for which  dispensation is required, as per prevalent Maritime Union of India (MUI) agreement, is paid to this Directorate by the shipping companies concerned. For the sake of clarification, the maximum basic pay will have to be paid for the category of officers for whom dispensation is sought for.  For instance, in case dispensation is sought for Chief Officer/ Second Engineer, the MUI maximum basic pay of Chief Officer / Second Engineer will have to be paid.

3.  The dispensation will be considered in two stages.  At the first stage, dispensation may be applied by the shipping companies to Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India / Chief Surveyor with the Govt. of India with full facts as per existing practice alongwith MUI wage details of the requisite category for which dispensation is sought.  Once the in-principle approval is considered by NA/CS, the shipping company should remit the requisite MUI wages by way of Demand Draft / Pay Order in the name of Director General of Shipping.  The onus of correct remittance based on MUI wages would be on such shipping companies who should give suitable declaration of correctness of these facts while applying for dispensation. In case these facts are proved to be wrong subsequently, suitable necessary action including levy of 10 times of such short remittance will be imposed on the shipping companies.  

           This will come into force w.e.f. 1st April, 2005.

Sd/-
(G.S. Sahni)
Director General of Shipping &
ex. officio Additional Secretary to Govt. of India