Move to shut down Canal Offices citing lack of qualified staff; committee submits recommendation to government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A move is being made to shut down the Inland Navigation Canal Offices under the Irrigation Department, which issue licences to small boats and non-motorised vessels. The reason cited is a shortage of qualified staff to conduct fitness inspections. A committee of Chief Engineers in the department has submitted a recommendation to the government in this regard. It has also suggested that this responsibility be handed over to local bodies under the supervision of the State Maritime Board.

There are eight canal offices at present. They generate revenue of more than Rs 50 lakh, including tax collections. These offices were established under the Travancore–Cochin Canal Rules and the Travancore–Cochin Ferry Rules. Licences for small boats, non-motorised vessels, kayaks, kettuvallams, floating restaurants and floating cottages are issued from these offices. A fitness inspection is mandatory before issuing licences.

Each canal office has a canal officer, a clerk and two laskars. Clerks with at least eight years of service are eligible to write the departmental examination (Canal Rules Test) to become canal officers. However, employees say the committee’s claim that there are not enough qualified staff is incorrect. They point out that the Public Service Commission has already published a rank list of nine candidates who passed the Canal Rules Test.

Human Rights Commission's instruction not followed
After investigating the Thattekad boat accident, the Human Rights Commission had pointed out that the lack of adequate canal offices was a reason for the increase in accidents. It had recommended increasing the number of canal offices and officers. Meanwhile, there are allegations that shutting down the canal offices would result in the department losing ownership and control over rivers, backwaters and canals.

8,000- Licensed non-motorised vessels

4,877- Licences renewed up to December 31