State govt taking steps to extend support to fishermen: Audimulapu

PNS|ONGOLE

Minister for Municipal Administration Audimulapu Suresh has said that the government has taken all steps to extend support to the fishermen’s community and protest the interests.
A programme was organised in Yerragondapalem on the occasion of World Fisheries Day on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that after the Jagan Mohan Reddy-headed government came to power, subsidies to the fishermen had increased and new welfare schemes especially for the benefit of fishermen were launched in the state.

Explaining the welfare schemes, being implemented for the fishermen, the minister said that the Chief Minister had increased the financial assistance being provided to fishermen from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000 during the ban on fishing in the sea. The compensation is given to fishermen, who lose their lives during fishing, has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10,000 lakh, and the subsidy on diesel oil for fishing boats has been increased from Rs 6 to Rs 9.

The electricity tariff was reduced from Rs 2 on a unit to Rs 1.50 to the aqua farmers who have less than 10 acres of aqua ponds, he informed, adding that the fishermen are being provided fishing boats and nets at a 40 percent subsidy.

Minister Audiumulapu Suresh said “Special measures have been taken under the name of ‘Fish Andhra Brand’ to promote domestic fish marketing. In order to stop the migration of fishermen who fish in the sea, a world-class fishing harbour is being constructed in Kothapatnam.”

District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar said that aqua products constitute 27% of food consumption across the world. The problems of fishermen are met through the AP Aquaculture Development Authority Act by the district machinery. “Steps were taken to make patrolling boats available in the coastal area. Mechanized boats will also be provided to the fishermen for fishing in deep sea waters. A Proposal will be sent to the government to extend the lease of the fisheries society.” the Collector said.

On the occasion, the Collector handed over the engines of the fishing boats and nets to two fishermen at a 40 percent subsidy. District Fisheries Officer Chandrasekhar Reddy, Panchayat officer Narayana Reddy and Fisheries Society president V Srinivasa Rao were present.