Will hold talks with Centre for development of port: Abhayachandra Jain

by news
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June 13, 2016

Mangaluru: State Fisheries Minister Abhayachandra Jain said today that a committee will meet the Central Ministers regarding the development of port and the development of fishermen in Mangaluru.
                                      Minister Abhayachandra Jain and J R Lobo during the meeting

In a meeting with fishermen, Port Development Authority and fisheries department held at the DC office on Monday, Jain said that Development of fisheries is not just the responsibility of Central government, but also the State government.

General Secretary of Fisheries Department Veerappa Gowda said that the Central government has sanctioned Rs 11 crore out of Rs 43 crore for the third phase of development of the port. An amount of Rs 32 crore was not released by the Centre and so the contractors cannot be paid.

“First a committee will hold talks with CM Siddaramaiah regarding the problems of the fishermen and the development of the port. Then the committee will meet the concerned Union Ministers to discuss the same,” said Abhaychandra Jain.

Mechanised boat fishermen urged that the government should allow the boats of Mangaluru port to anchor in other ports in case of emergency. They also requested the government to increase the ubsidized diesel to 500 liters from the current 300 liters.

Fishermen further said that some of the fishermen from Kerala and other states are fishing in Karnataka illegally, despite the ban on fishing for 60 days. The fishermen urged the authorities to take action so that incidents of illegal fishing do not repeat.

Fisheries department director Veerappa Gowda said that they have been tracking the incidents of illegal fishing and have informed the fisheries department of other states.

Non-mechanised boat fishermen alleged that because of sand mining their fishing nets are being damaged. Fishermen are having a loss of Rs 25000 yearly because damaged fishing nets.

Senior Fishermen Leader Vasudev Boloor said that development of fish market is also important. The present market is not in a state to attract the customers. Public is hesitating even to enter the fish market.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo said that soon a systematic market will be constructed. There will be separate dry fish and fresh fish markets.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, Mayor Harinath and others were present.