Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 11: A function was organized at Malpe fisheries port under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Cooperative Fish Marketting Federation on Saturday April 10.  Cheques under the state government’s ‘Varsha’ scheme aimed at achieving fisherwomen’s self reliance were distributed at the function.

State transport minister, R Ashok, inaugurated the function. The cheques were distributed to the beneficiaries by the fisheries and information technology minister, Anand Asnotikar. In his addres, Asnotikar said that a sum of ten crore rupees has been set aside in the current year’s budget  for helping the fish marketing federations in the state. “A sum of Rs 150 crore has been earmarked for encouraging the fishing activity. The state government plans to take up integrated development and expansion of the fishing ports in the state with the help of CIEF Agency of the central government” he disclosed.

Asnotikar revealed that five crore rupees has been released for conducting dredging work, and that the state government has increased its contribution from the earlier Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 under the ‘Matsyashraya’ scheme of building houses for the fishermen. “The third phase of the expansion project of Malpe at a cost of Rs 53 crore will be taken up within the next three to four months, and the Chief Minister will inaugurate it. The state government has sanctioned Rs 24 crore for the schemes of Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation. Through KFDC, 500 fish outlets will be opened all over the state, except the three districts in the coast. The KFDC has opened its outlet in Mangalore only as a model, and not for creating problems for the fish vendors. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been spent for undertaking repairs of the fisheries roads all over the coast. A further sum of seven crore rupees has been set aside for this purpose in the current budget,” he added.

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Fisheries Marketing Federation president, Yashpal Suvarna, presided. Suvarna delivered introductory address. The sanction letters under the ‘Matsyashraya’ scheme were distributed to the beneficiaries by MLA, Raghupati Bhat. Coastal Development Authority chairman, Nagaraj Shetty, Kundapur MLA, Halady Srinivas Shetty, Kaup MLA, Lalaji R Mendon, Byndoor MLA, Laxminarayana, MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, district BJP president, Uday Kumar Shetty, municipal president, Dinakar Shetty, Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation chairman, Ramachandar Baikampady, Sarala Kanchan, Radha Suvarna, Baby Salian, fisheries department director, Veerappa Gowda, Malpe Fishermen’s Association president, Heriyanna Kediyoor, District Milk Marketing Federation director, K Ganapati Bhat, etc., were present.

Ramachandra Kediyoor delivered the welcome address. Prakash Suvarna and Ramesh Kediyoor compered the event.