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AP Govt waived yearly check rule for private boats
The Andhra Pradesh government waved a red flag to checking private tourism boats in River Krishna every year, which is mandatory as per River Conservancy Act, and issued a GO deleting the condition in favour of a private company. Instead, the government issued another GO according permission initially for a period of two years.
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government waved a red flag to checking private tourism boats in River Krishna every year, which is mandatory as per River Conservancy Act, and issued a GO deleting the condition in favour of a private company. Instead, the government issued another GO according permission initially for a period of two years.
The GO is drawing attention in the backdrop of boat capsizing near Pavitra Sangamam on November 12 in which 22 people died. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the Assembly on Monday said that some greedy people run the boats violating the rules which lead to accidents.
He also explained the process of taking permission from irrigation and tourism departments. But the ground reality is different. River Conservator (in-charge) R Mohan Rao told The Hans India that applying for renewal of licence for boats every year was mandatory. “Whether it is tourism department or private players, they must apply for renewal of licence every year.
The licence we issue is valid till March 31 only, irrespective of date of issue,” he said. He also said they conduct all checks before renewal of the licence of a boat and permit it if it satisfied all norms prescribed in the Act.
However, the water resource department issued GO RT No 304 in June this year facilitating running of a floating restaurant and cottages in the middle of water facing the Prakasam Barrage by M/s. Champion Yacht Club . The GO said permission may be accorded initially for a period of one year and the party has to apply for renewal every financial year.
Later, the government issued another GO No 481 in August which said the condition that entity running boat has to apply for renewal for every financial year is deleted.
The water resource department permitted chief engineer of Krishna delta to give permission initially for a period of two years to Champion Yacht Club with a provision for renewal every two years on application by the Chief Executive Officer, Bhavani Island Tourism Corporation.
Krishna delta deputy chief engineer D Srinivas and River Conservator (in-charge) R Mohan Rao said they did not understand why the condition was deleted.
Mohan reiterated that obtaining permission after thorough checks of the boat was mandatory as per River Conservation Act. According to the Act, the conservator is the authority to give route permission, driving licence to boat driver, and registration number to boats.
Interestingly, the state government successfully diverted attention of public towards tourism department making the department alone responsible to the boat mishap at Pavitra Sangamam. In fact, the department can do nothing if the irrigation department allows the boats in the river.
“No private operators apply to us for permission. We send several reports to the government against the illegal operations of private boats. But the government did not respond. Instead, we are facing tremendous pressure from higher level if any action is initiated by the irrigation department. They are accusing irrigation department that we are obstructing tourism promotion in State,” a senior officer of irrigation department said.
He also said private boat operators were using old boats in the river which was another reason for not applying for licence to irrigation department. Lacking of regular checks was the major reason for boat accidents, he said.
By K Varaprasada Rao
