Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 29 June 2022
Mr. S.U.Maheswar Rao, Governing Body Member, National Fisheries Development Board is in Hyderabad to attend meetings with the appointed Non-Official members of the Governing Body of NFBD. 14 State Governing Body Members have attended the said meetings wherein discussions on several developmental projects were held. Mr. S U Maheswar Rao submitted a memorandum before the NFDB highlighting some major issues of the fishermen of A & N Islands.
Some major issues highlighted during the meeting by Mr. S U Maheshwar Rao includes:
• Creation of Infrastructures like Ice Plant/Cold Storage/Refrigerated Vehicle / Insulated Vehicle under PMMSY.
• Nutritional and livelihood support for fishers during lean period and also during cyclone.
• Construction of Modern Fish Market at Bathu Basti with all facilities for wholesale and retail marketing.
• Construction of 20 Nos. of Fish Vending Kiosks in the first phase at various location of Municipal area for the women beneficiaries.
• Construction of Jetty for Fishermen at Dugnabad Area.
• Establishment of Ice Plant of capacity 1000 blocks & Cold Storage (100 MT) per day to overcome the acute shortage of Ice Blocks & Cold Storage for the Fishermen/Fish Vendor/Fish Exporters of Port Blair.
• Inclusion of Fishermen Community of Andaman & Nicobar Islands under OBC and BPL Category.
• Issuance of Permit to the South Andaman Fishermen for carrying fishing activities in North & Middle Andaman by passing through Baratang creek (nallah).
• Re-launch of the scheme “Fishermen Modern village” in these Islands under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
• Construction of Traditional Bonga Dingy under UT Plan Scheme instead of model Wooden FRP Craft approved by the Director of Fisheries.
• Sanction of Working Capital Loan to the Fisheries Cooperatives Societies of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Starting Aqua Culture farming in North & Middle Andaman.