Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 09 September 2022
Mr. S.U Maheshwar Rao, Member of Governing Body, National Fisheries Development Board along with Mr. B Hema Raju, Govt. Nominee, A & N Fisheries Cooperative Federation Limited met Mr. Keshav Chandra, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently and discussed various issues related to the fishermen community of the Islands.
Mr. S U Maheshwar Rao also submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary detailing various problems being faced by the fishermen.
Mr. S U Maheshwar Rao in his representation to the CS mentioned the problem of shortage of ice blocks for the preservation of fish. He added that many Govt. Ice Plants are not functioning properly. He also demanded the construction of houses for fishermen under various Central Govt. Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMSSY) in all three districts of the Islands.
Mr. S U Maheshwar Rao also demanded the introduction of short-term training for fishermen, educated youth, SHGs, Cooperatives, entrepreneurs etc. in value addition of fish for the economic development of the residents of A & N Islands.
He also demanded that permission may be granted to traditional fishermen for the construction of dinghies from big logs (bonga), which is currently not permitted by the forest department.
He also requested a permanent solution for fishermen to pass through Baratang Creek to travel to the North and Middle Andaman District for fishing. He requested the introduction of a convoy system, if possible.
Mr. S U Maheshwar Rao also requested the CS to expedite the construction of the fish landing centre at Dignabad.
The Member of Governing Body of NFDB informed the Chief Secretary that the Registrar of Cooperative Societies has stopped providing working capital assistance to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and requested the implementation of the scheme. He also requested to conduct BPL Survey in the Islands for the benefit of the fishermen community.