'Not a sanyasi to give up fisheries department,' says Abhaychandra
 
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Update

Bangalore, May 27: Karnataka’s new Fisheries and Youth Services Minister Abhaychandra Jain, a first-timer in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, has declared that he has no plans to give up his fisheries portfolio.

''I am not a sanyasi to give up the fisheries portfolio," he told reporters, scotching newspaper reports regarding his intention to ask the Chief Minister to divest his responsibility of fisheries department.

Abhaychandra Jain, who represents the Moodabidri assembly constituency in coastal Dakshina Kannada district, had reportedly stated at a function in his home town on Sunday that he would seek a change in his fisheries portfolio as being a Jain he could not handle the department on account of his religious sentiments.

According to reports in a section of the media, the minister had reportedly stated in the presence of Jain seers and other community leaders on Sunday at Moodabidri that he would not like to handle the fisheries department as he was a ''vegetarian" and the Jain religion did not believe in killing any living beings.

The minister made it clear that he was ''misquoted" by the media and asseted that he had no intention of asking the chief minister to change his portfolio much less to resign.

''Allotment of portfolios to the ministers is the chief minister’s prerogative and I have to abide by his decision," he said.

When reporters persisted with the question on whether he would quit his portfolio, he clarified that the media had ''misquoted" him and that he would neither quit the Ministry nor seek a change in the Fisheries portfolio.

Asked whether he would relinquish the fisheries department, Jain said “I am not a sanyasi to give up the fisheries department."

Earlier Report

Moodbidri: Jain to relinquish fisheries department on religious grounds?

Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, May 27: State minister for youth services and fisheries, Abhaychandra Jain, speaking to reporters on Monday May 27, expressed his intention to be relieved of the department of fisheries.

His decision has come in the wake of the demand from his supporters.

Jainism advocates non-violence in all forms and strict vegetarianism. Members of Jain community in the constituency have reportedly exerted pressure on Jain to relinquish fisheries department and request the Chief Minister to attach this department to some other minister. 

Jain said he has decided to bow to their demand as holding this portfolio is likely to hurt religious sentiments of his supporters.

“I do not want to hurt the sentiments of my supporters. I have been receiving requests to get rid of fisheries department from the day the ministry was allocated to me,” he clarified.