Research and development programmes of the Department of Ocean Development are being implemented through various national facilities and institutions. In order to ensure proper implementation of the programmes and to set monitoring mechanisms, the Department has constituted Inter-Departmental, Coordination and Steering Committees with specific mandates. The following flow chart indicates the details of the Committees set up by the Department.

The Ocean Science and Technology Board constituted by the Government in February 1986 is a focal point for inter-Departmental and inter-Ministerial coordination. It periodically reviews, monitors and evaluates implementation of various ocean related policies and programmes. The 9th meeting of the Ocean science and Technology Board was held on 27 January 1992. The Board reviewed the Antarctic research and polymetallic nodules programme. The Board recommended that the Antarctic research programme should be continued at the current level of vitality enriching it progressively with enhancement of science and technology infrastructure in the country and through mutual sharing of facilities with other Antarctic Treaty nations, wherever possible. The Board also recommended that subject to financial constraints, the deep seabed polymetallic nodules programme should be continued with a view to developing the mining system for commercial exploitation of the deep seabed resources. The Board also recommended that the research cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada should be designed so as to suit the exploitation needs of the Fishery Survey of India. The urgent need for cost-effective measures to improve the knowledge bases of the oceanic domain for optimum utilisation of marine infrastructure was also emphasised.

The Research Advisory Committee whose task is to identify the specific areas and programmes for research funding met on 10 May 1991 and reviewed the implementation of major R&D projects like environmental monitoring, remote sensing, wave energy, etc.

The Cruise Planning and Programme Evaluation Committee, after identifying the thrust areas of investigation and participating institutions settled the research cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada to ensure optimal utilization of the research vessel facilities. The surveys for non-living resources and polymetallic nodules in the deep seabed area was conducted by the scientists of the National Institute of Oceanography on behalf of the Department. Management of the research vessel Sagar Sampada which was earlier entrusted to CMFRI, Kochi was transferred to a Special Cell of Sagar Sampada established at Kochi.

As in the earlier years, various Government Departments, national institutes and academic institutions have been involved in the Antarctic research programme. The three services of the armed forces continue to contribute to the whole gamut of logistic facilities to meet exacting standards of extreme environment of Antarctica.

11.2 Implementation of the 15-Point Programme on Minority Welfare

The activities of the Department do not have a direct bearing on the development of minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, etc. The Department has been taking due care to ensure adequate representation of minority communities while making recruitment to the posts. Adequate representation of the officers belonging to the minority communities has also been given in the Selection Committee for filling up vacancies in Group A, B, C and D.

11.3 Administrative Support

The sanctioned strength of the Department of Ocean Development, including its attached and subordinate offices, in all grades was 232 (as on February 1992). 19 posts in Group A, B and C were filled up in the Department during the year. In addition, 5 posts in the Antarctic Study Centre, 9 posts in the Project Cell on Polymetallic Nodules Programme and 4 posts in Sagar Sampada Cell in different categories were filled up during the year .

Training

The following officers/staff of the Department attended training programmes organised in different institutions during the year:

11.4 Exhibition and Fairs

The Department has initiated a programme to redesign its exhibitions relating to oceanic resources and environment making use of three dimensional models and audio visual methods to communicate developments in the field of ocean sciences and complex processes that sustain ocean environment, resources and ecosystems, etc. for the benefit of the people. During the year 1991-92, apart from the exhibition at Pragati Maidan, exhibitions on ocean science and technology were also held at different places. An exhibition on marine science and technology was held at Ramlila Ground in Delhi from 14-20 April 1991 as a part of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar birth centenary celebrations. Similar exhibitions were also held in Icchapur and Chinsurah in West Bengal, Lucknow and in Urdu Academy, Delhi.

11.5 Finance

The budget estimates of the Department for the year 1991-92 was Rs. 46.21 crores (Rs. 37.00 crores under Plan and Rs. 9.21 crores under Non-Plan). The revised estimates for 1991-92 are Rs. 32.27 crores under Plan and Rs. 9.10 crores under Non Plan. A budget estimate of Rs. 48.17 crores (which includes Rs. 39.00 crores under Plan and Rs. 9.17 crores under Non-Plan) has been made for the year 1992-93. Following is a summary of the financial requirements.