(a) the number of pilots appointed on contract basis under Chennai port trust;
(b) the terms and conditions of such contracts;
(c) the reasons for giving contract basis employment to pilots; and
(d) the annual expenditure incurred on a regular pilot and a contract pilots separately ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) A panel of 10 pilots is retained by the Chennai port trust for engagement on contract basis. Of this, a maximum of 3 Contract Pilots in a day (posted on rotational basis) are engaged to handle ships.
(b) Brief terms and conditions for engagement of Contract Pilots are given below:-
(i) A consolidated Retainer Fee of Rs.25,500/- per month will be paid on pro rata basis, based on the number of days of work, a Contract Pilot is engaged. In addition, he shall be paid a fee of Rs.1000/- per act of pilotage performed between 0600 hrs. and 2200 hrs. and Rs.1250/- per act of pilotage performed between 2200 hrs and 0600 hrs.
(ii) He is eligible for unfurnished quarters accommodation, for which he will be charged the same rate as applicable to the Port Officers. In lieu of the Port quarters, he may also opt for Guest House accommodation.
(iii) He is entitled for the telephone facility up to the limit of 750 calls bi-monthly.
(iv) He is entitled for the medical facilities to the extent available in the Port Trust Hospital for himself and his family.
(v) He has to execute a Bond to serve the Port Trust for a period of two years, excluding the period of training. In the event of termination of contract, 30 days notice is required from either side.
(vi) He is not entitled to any other allowances, payments, benefits or facilities except as provided for in the contract.
(c) The Chennai Port Trust had been experiencing shortage of regular Pilots for quite some years. The Port Trust could not find suitable candidates for filling up the vacant posts of Pilots despite notification of vacancies to the Employment Exchange as well as open advertisement in the Newspapers. This situation was unlikely to improve. Therefore, Chennai Port Trust decided to introduce the system of hiring Pilots on contract basis.
(d) For a regular Pilot the annual expenditure is approx. Rs.6.3 lacs per pilot, which is inclusive of all allowances and benefits. As regards the annual expenditure on Contract Pilots, the annual expenditure is likely to be Rs. 6 lacs approximately.