The National Committee to protect Shipping, Roads and Railways sector (NCPSRR) on Friday demanded a high powered committee to check irregularities in the Mastership Exams held under the Department of Shipping.
Addressing a press briefing at Moni Singh-Farhad Memorial Trust Bhaban in the city’s Purana Paltan, NCPSRR convenor Ashish Kumar Dey alleged that mastership certificates are provided in exchange of huge money.He said the NCPSRR has already submitted complaints in this regard to the Shipping Minister, Shipping Secretary and director general of Department of Shipping on February 14, but no action has been taken yet.
Quoting newspaper reports, Ashish Dey alleged that mastership certificates were given in exchange of Tk 50,000-100,000, which is a great threat to shipping safety.
The mastership examination is held every month, he said.
The NCPSSR convenor said the post of chief nautical surveyor of Department of Shipping has been lying vacant for long.
Nautical surveyor of Mercantile Marine Department KM Jasim Uddin has been performing as Chief Nautical Surveyor (current charge).
KM Jasim has also been carrying out his duty as chief of Examination Committee of Mastership examination.
Ashish Dey demanded removal of KM Jasim Uddin from the examination committee as well as his withdrawal from his current charge as the chief nautical surveyor.
President of Bangladesh River Transport Workers Federation Md Shah Alam said nearly 4,500 people were killed in numerous river vessel accidents in last 45 years.
However, this is much lower than the casualty figure of road accidents.
If the river vessels are driven by skilled master or driver the casualty in river accidents would decrease, Shah Alam hoped.
Chairman of Institute of Water and Environment Engr M Enamul Haque, secretary general of Citizens Rights Movement Tushar Rehman and joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon Mihir Biswas were, among others, present at the press briefing. – UNB
