Report oil The East Pakistan Inland Water Transport Authority in 1966

Abstract

the East Pakistan Inland Water Transport Authority to identify factors responsible for any defects in its operation and management and to suggest remedial measures. Within the short span of this report, I have made an attempt to deal with the organisational set up, staff position, systems and procedures, duties and responsibilities, achievements, various schemes under the Third Five-year Plan, collection of revenues and some other facts and figures vitally concerned with the inland water transport in East Pakistan. In this report, I have made suggestions to eliminate wasteful expenditure and to pr^note economic efficiency by abolishing some Directorates and Departments and strengthening the Secretariat of the Authority, abolishing certain unnecessary posts and creating some new ones of technical experts, simplifying the working procedure and by delegating more powers to the field officers. Suggestions have also been made for enforcing discipline in the river-traffic to ensure safety of the passengers. It has further been suggested to frame Water and Port Rules and to prepare a Manual of Procedures. Indications have been given in the report to introduce a judicious system of recruitment, a well-planned training programme and a sound system of promotion so that the qualified and experienced persons are well-fitted in the Authority. It is* hoped that the authority will find the report useful to gear up the overall administration for efficient management and rapid progress in the field of execution of schemes. I started the study in April, 1965 and completed collection’ of data in February, 1966. During this period two emergencies—the cyclone of May, 1965 and the Indian Aggression of September, 1965—intervened and impeded the progress of my study to a great extent. Mr. A. S. M. Nurullah, Deputy Secretary to the Government of East Pakistan, Services and General Administration (O & M) Department, who was associated with the study, left this Department on transfer at a time when I began to write out the report. So his ideas, thoughts and suggestions could not be fully reflected in it. I take this opportunity to express my thanks to him. During my study, I interviewed almost all the officers and the? staff of the authority, whom I found very much helpful and co-operating.f' I express my indebtedness to all of them. I am particularly indebted to Rear Admiral S. M. Ahsan, Chairman of the Authority, Mr. M. usuff,. Secretary, Mr. S. H. Rashid, Deputy Secretary, Capt. S.M.A. Hussain, Chief Executive, Conservancy and Pilotage Department, Captain Z. Khan, Chief C and P Superintendent, Comdr. R.K. Husband, Chief Hydrographer, Mr. A. A. K. Afridi, Engineer Superintendent, Mr. Khoja Suleman Haji Kassam, Additional Chief Engineer, Mr. A. M. M. Ghulam Kibria, Deputy Chief Engineer, Mr. T.L Huq, Director of Accounts and Finance, Mr. A. A. Sonnyamot, Deputy Director of Accounts, Mr. S.H. Pasha, Director of Ports and Traffic, Mr. A. Quddus, Senior Deputy Director of Ports and Traffic, Mr. A. K. M.T. Hossain, Traffic Officer, Mr. Aslam Rashid, Deputy Director of Ports, Major M. Shafiullah, Port Officer, Mr. M. Sanaullah, Senior Research C)fficer and Mr. Z.B.M. Bakht, Executive Assistant. I would be failing in my duty if I do not express my gratitude to Mr. W. A. Choudhury, Joint Secretary to the Government of East Pakistan, Services and General Administration (O & M) Department and Mr. S. Khan, Deputy Secretary to the Government of East Pakistan, Services and General Administration (O. & M) Department, for their valuable suggestions and guidance. Finally, I must express hearty thanks to my colleague Mr. S.K. Das for going through some portions of the draft report and giving helpfuL suggestions.