Govt to conduct study in Kerala, Gujarat on fisheries programmes Satellite station for 4,000 boats will be set up in State: Minister Atchannaidu

Minister for Agricultural, Cooperative, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, K Atchannaidu has asked the officials concerned to conduct a study on the implementation of the fisheries development programmes in Kerala, Gujarat and other States. He said the government is aiming to bring back the previous glory for the fisheries department in the State. A satellite station for 4,000 boats will be set up in the State as per the directions received from the Central government.
Minister Atchannaidu held a review meeting on the fisheries department at the Fisheries Commissioner’s office at Penamaluru in the Krishna district on Wednesday. During the meeting, the minister enquired about the officer about the pending dues to the fishermen.
Atchannaidu said that as of now the government is mulling arranging a satellite station for 4,000 boats and later it would be extended for all 20,000 boats in a phased manner.
He directed the officials to clear the Rs.10 crore of diesel subsidy dues. The previous YSRCP government did not pay these amounts to fishermen and boat owners, he said. His department would take all issues in the fisheries department into the concern of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he added.
Further, he said the previous government did not clear the compensation to the fishermen during the period of the fishing ban. So, officials are to conduct a resurvey about the beneficiaries and submit it within 20 days. The department should improve the capacity of fisheries industries production and prepare plans to increase the fish products export growth in the State, he explained.
Meanwhile, the Minister instructed the department officials to seek a detailed report about the Budagatlapalem, Pudimadaka, Kothapatnam, Vodarevu, and Biyyaputippa fishing harbours present conditions. Also, he asked for a report on fisheries programmes that were implemented in the last five years. Further, he directed officials to instead the fisheries programmes that were implemented from 2014 to 19.
Subsequently, Atchannaidu sought a report on the financial position of the department and if they submitted the details it would be easy to approve in the coming budget meeting. Officials are advised to take the necessary steps to provide bank loans for all fishermen, he said.
Penamaluru MLA Bode Prasad, Fisheries, Aqua and Horticulture Secretary A Babu, Fisheries Commissioner A Suryakumari, Additional Director Dr S Anjali, Joint Directors Dr V Venkateswara Rao, G Heera Naik, Sk Lal and others were present.