Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Nov 15: "The national fisher registration scheme under the Matsya Sampada Yojana helps empower unorganized fishing professionals through organization. There was a time when only those who caught fish were considered fishers. With the advent of the Matsya Sampada Yojana, everyone involved in the fishing sector is now recognized. This initiative aids in gathering data on fishers across our country," said MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the fisher registration camp under the "Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Yojana," jointly organized by the Government of India’s Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of Karnataka’s Department of Fisheries, and the Beejadi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society. The event was held at the central office of the Beejadi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary praised the registration program, which facilitates the provision of central government benefits to society members, and lauded the efforts of the Beejadi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society for consistently bringing such schemes to its members.

Symbolically, certificates of registration under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Yojana were distributed during the event.

B Manjunath Kunder Chatra Bettu, president of the society, presided over the program, acknowledging the central government’s commendable initiative to identify genuine fishers and provide them with identity cards. He mentioned that this initiative ensures the recognition of fishers as professionals. The Beejadi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, established by traditional net fishers, has now grown significantly, operating three branches and a central office efficiently. He highlighted that the society has received national awards from the central government, the state award for the best fisher society, and accolades from the Dakshina Kannada District Central Co-operative Bank during Cooperative Week.

MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Beejadi gram panchayat president B Prakash G Poojary, Udupi fisheries deputy director Anjanadevi, district manager of Common Service Center Udupi Mahesh Kothari, assistant director of the fisheries department Sumalatha, former president of KFDC Mangaluru B Heriyanna Chatra Bettu, president of Koteshwar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha Ashok Poojary Beejadi, directors B Shivaram Ameen Beejadi, B Shekhar Mogaveer Ankudakatte, Dinesh Mendon Gopadi, Annayya Puthran Kumbhashi, Janaki Hale Alive, Anusha Koravadi, Srinivas Marakal Gopadi, Jyothi D'Mello Kundapur, Nagesh Beejadi, and associate director Venkatesh Kumar were present.

Vice president Thotadabetu welcomed the gathering, while chief executive officer Ramesh Kanchan proposed the vote of thanks. The event was compered by associate director Sunil G Nayak.