D.G.Shipping,Govt.of India, Ministry of Shipping, Jahaz Bhavan,W.H.Marg,MUMBAI-400001.	C D C (continuous discharge certificate) SCAM. continues since 1980's.
Opinion Poll	Posted By: Chandran Peechulli on:5/14/2008 5:01:36 AM

News of Fake CDC’s(Continuous Discharge Certificate), in Bombay open market :                        A CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) is an identification document, a seaman needs to sail. It is issued by the Shipping Ministry through the Directorate-General of Shipping to those who have cleared the pre-sea and STCW course examinations from an authorized institution of the directorate general shipping. Bombay Police have always been efficient to track fake CDC’s, from 1980’s in the open market, now and then, which was on the news, particularly surrounding the “Jahaz Bhavan” at Walchand Hirachand Marg, (wherein housed the office of the directorate general of shipping), e.g. opposite GPO, where the off the shelves STCW Course certificates and CDC’s were made available for a price, primarily for those seeking employment in gulf countries. Seamen with a CDC and a passport, along with an official letter from the shipping company, can travel abroad or enter the country without a visa. Although the forged CDCs were largely being used by unqualified men to secure jobs on ships, the fact that it also allows entry and exit without a visa, has now set alarm bells ringing at national security angle, owing to the terrorists known these days. It is high time cross reference to entry of CDC, INDOS and passport of seafarers are made, to curtail illegal entry of intruders into the country, and as well for statistical figures of Indian sailors leaving and returning back to their country. It is high time CDC norms were tightened. Free issue of CDC, to those who just undergo short-term course in the name of GMDSS, is another loophole for securing CDC and taking placement in other trades. Directorate declaring 1500 CDC’s been issued during the year 2005-2007, under the category of “Purser” explicits corruption within since the figure is unrealistic, while this category is restricted to passenger vessels while in India, hardly few engaged in A&N. All this corruption with connivance of those within MMD. 3 year diploma from the State Board of Technical Education is nevertheless to be considered less than 10+2. As a matter of fact, Diploma – EEE, should have been considered much superior than 10+2, for GMDSS course particularly while pursuing for higher technical studies. The Engineering Diploma holders of the State Board of Technical Education,  are eligible for admission into BE/B.Tech. with remission i.e. for Graduation in engineering, approved by the University Grants Commission. Hence, under the circumstances, failing to consider such candidates for GMDSS admission, is a grave injustice Security measures have not been taken into consideration, considering reference co-relating local ration-card, local police verification, passport etc. “Marine Waves” emphasizes “Seafarers to be groomed well during training ” to carry the good image of the nation, overseas.

Dr.Chandran Peechulli, Ph.D; F.I.E.(India),                                                                       Ex.Chief Engineer Marine & G.M.Tech.