Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 19: State minister for animal husbandry and fisheries, Venkata Rao Nadagouda, visited the district and inspected the Hejamady Kody jetty near Padubidri, hi-tech fisherwomen's market, apart from visiting Malpe port on Wednesday, July 18. Addressing a meeting of officials from fisheries, ports, and animal husbandry departments at the office of the deputy commissioner here, he clarified that a uniform order would be issued through the secretary in his department about placing blanket ban on fishing by using underwater lighting in the state.
The minister said that complaints of undertaking fishing by using lights at sea are being received from various parts of the coast although there is a ban for the same in the state. He said that an order in this direction would be sent to the district deputy commissioners through the principal secretary, asserting that fishing with lights has no legal sanction. The minister promised to strictly enforce this ban beginning from the fishing season which will begin from next month.
After inspecting the premises of hi-tech fish market, Rao told media “I have inspected the market premises. The first demand is to provide loan of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lac to the vendors on zero interest. We are discussing at the government level on providing loans of at least Rs 50, 000 loans per fisherwoman with zero interest,” he said.
Nadagouda also stated that a floating jetty would be built by using modern technology at Hejamady with the purpose of controlling environment pollution. He stated that this jetty will come in handy for smaller boats. He said that he has asked a team of officials and also the technicians who provide advice to the port here to visit Goa to get detailed information about the technology involved. He stated that all clearances for Hejamady port have been obtained and the port here will be built by using latest technology. He added that the port here will be useful to the local fishermen and also those from Mangaluru.
“Another demand is to increase the amount of monthly pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 for those who are above 60 years. Fishermen are demanding to provide Rs 2 lac to them under Matsashraya scheme, but now the government is providing Rs 1.25 lac. I have got to know that the construction of houses for the fishing community is pending since the last four years. We have taken a decision to hand over the construction project for this purpose to Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation,” Rao said.
“One more issue involved here is GPS for boats. The fishermen have demanded to extend the deadline set for this purpose by one month. They have asked for free health insurance facility. It was sanctioned by government,” he said and added that the fishermen have the fear of competing against and sustaining challenges posed by large traders.
Replying to a question about providing basic infrastructure for hi-tech fish market, Venkata Rao said, “I will talk to the deputy commissioner regarding this problem and I will instruct him on handing over the market to CMC for the maintenance”.
“There is shortage of kerosene in PDS and the supply was also stopped in the open market. The government has decided to make India zero kerosene usage country. We are working towards the alternatives and have found that electric boats could replace kerosene boats,” the minister said.
Rao spoke to local political leaders and fishermen during his visit to Malpe harbour. He launched an electric boat on trial basis and took rounds of Malpe harbour in the boat accompanied by Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, Fish marketing Federation president Yashpal Suvarna and JD(S) district president Yogish Shetty.