Udupi: Government Mulling Privatisation of Ports - Minister Palemar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 9: Ports, small savings and lottery minister J Krishna Palemar revealed, that the state government is considering the option of privatising 10 important ports of the state. He was speaking after visiting Malpe fisheries port and holding discussions about the problems being faced by the fishermen on Monday September 8, at Malpe.

A sum of Rs 12 crore has already been released for the third phase of Malpe port development, and the dredging work has suffered because of rains. We want to convert Malpe into an all-season port. Discussions are on towards providing facility for around 1,600 boats to moor at Baputota, he said.

In response to a mention made by MLA Raghupati Bhat that the fishermen are facing financial problems because of raising the rate for land given for drying of fish to Rs 15 per square metre, the minister instructed the port officials to collect only five rupees from the fishermen, the rate fixed in the past, for utilising land for this purpoe. The minister said, that he had already passed on instructions towards this reduction, to the concerned a month back.

He informed, that four premier private companies have expressed interest in developing Karwar port. We will wait for the Karwar port undergo developmental experiment, and based on that experience, we will decide on privatisation of other ports, he said. Regarding complaints on Tebma company which is planning to utilise space at Malpe port for breaking of ships, the minister said he would take a decision after studying the details.

Out of 139 factories which emit highest level of pollutants, five are in Dakshina Kannada district alone, he said. On a question about Nagarjuna, he sought a reply from the journalists as to whether they think one more highly polluting industry will take shape in the district.

Senior fishermen leaders Hiriyanna Kidiyuoor, Pandurang Malpe, Yashpal Suvarna etc., were present.