CM to perform bhumi puja for Aqua University on Nov 21

PNS|Vijayawada

Government Chief Whip Mudunuri Prasadaraju has stated that the government is working to resolve the problems of aqua farmers within 10 days. He alleged that aqua prices in the State fell due to syndication of aqua traders belonging to the Telugu Desam Party.

He said that Rs 2,377 crore subsidy was given to aqua farmers on electricity consumption in the past three years. He announced that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would visit Narasapuram on November 21 on the occasion of the International Fisheries Day. He would perform Bhumi Puja and for the Aqua University and the Fishing Harbour and participate in many other programmes. Speaking to the media persons on Wednesday, he said that aqua exports had decreased due to fluctuations in the international market.

He claimed that like never before, as per the promise given to the aqua farmers during the Padayatra by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the YSRC government was offering electricity at subsidised prices. 86 percent aqua farmers were getting subsidies in the 26 districts. The previous TDP government charged Rs 3.85 per unit for power to aqua farmers, but the Jagan government was providing electricity at only Rs 1.50 per unit, which was helping the spread of aquaculture in over five lakh acres and AP was number one in the country in aqua farming.

The Government Chief Whip recalled that Chandrababu Naidu who collected Rs 3.85 per unit promised to provide electricity for Rs 2 per unit before the 2019 elections, but aqua farmers distrusted him and supported Jagan. Rubbishing the allegations of TD leaders, he said that the Jagan government had spent Rs 2,377 crore as subsidy for the past three years, which showed the YSRC government’s dedication towards aqua development. He said that CM Jagan extended full support to the aqua sector during the Covid crisis.

He said that CM Jagan had formed a committee with ministers and was working on alternative measures. He stated that the prices of feed had been reduced three times following the intervention of the government. The government is also setting up 23 processing units for hassle-free storage in case of marketing fluctuations.