Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 25: Since the last 50 years, the Congress Party had grossly neglected fishing sector. Since the last nine months, the state government has extended maximum possible facilities to fishing, as compared to any other government in the past," claimed Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. He was speaking after initiating the 'Matsya Ratha Yatre’ in the city on Friday April 24.

To signify the initiation, he handed over a flag to the State BJP Fishermen Forum convener Ramachander Bykampady, who heads the Yatre.

"Speaking after receiving the flag, Bykampady alleged that the Dharam Singh government in the past had decided to shut down Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, declaring it to be a bankrupt organization. But, Yeddyurappa, after taking over charge of the state, pumped Rs 14 crores into it and breathed life into the Corporation again. He also set aside Rs 100 crore for expansion of ports and Rs 20 crore for dredging in the budget. After 13 long years, dredging has begun in Mangalore and Gangolli ports. The government has also planned to build 50,000 houses under the 'Matsyashraya' scheme, doubled the kerosene allotment to traditional fishermen, hiked the subsidy eligibility to mechanized fishermen to 75,000 kilo litres of diesel, removed tax on ice cubes and extended VAT free facility to it. This has gladdened the fishermen, who had been facing a bleak future," he said.

Ullal Babu Bangera, Yashwant Amin, Sadanand Bangera, Vittal Suvarna, Manoj Bangera etc were present. The 'Matya Ratha (Fisheries Chariot)' will be touring all the fishermen’s villages in Dakshina Kannada district. During its journey, legislators, corporators and others will accompany the vehicle.