Mangalore: CM Lays Foundation for Two Sophisticated Fish Markets
Pics: Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Jan 4: Every state government has its own priorities, likewise, the BJP-led state government has given priority to fisheries sector, said chief minister Sadananda Gowda here on Wednesday January 4.
He spoke after laying the foundation stone for the new and sophisticated fish markets to be built in Kinnigoli and Bantwal at a formal programme organized in Yuga Purusha Hall, Kinnigoli here.
The CM said that considering the development factor of fishing activities and fisheries community, the state government released an amount of Rs 130 cr for the fisheries department. As many as 2000 houses were built for the needy families belonging to fisheries community, and the quantity of subsidized diesel to fishermen was raised from an earlier amount of 75,000 litre to 1 lac litre for the year 2011-12. Central government aid has been sought for a project aimed to curb the menace of sea erosion faced by the people residing near sea shore.
These new sophisticated fish markets are the dream projects of Coastal Development Authority, and are part of the 10 new ones planned in the three coastal districts of the state, as an upgrade to the existing ones. National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderbad and state government jointly took up the project and in the first phase 10 fish markets for women were earmarked, for which the funds are already released.
The 10 fish markets planned to be renovated are Bantwal at Rs 52.32 lac, Kinnigoli at Rs 76.66 lac, Padubidri at Rs 76.92 lac, Katapady Rs 69.89 lac, Udupi (City) at Rs 199. 20 lac, Uppunda at Rs 113. 648, Yedthere-Byndore at Rs 103.306, Karwar (City) at Rs 188.5 lac, Shirali at Rs 119.60 lac and Ankola at Rs 49.80 lac.
A team of experts were formed by coastal development authority to study the Malwan fish market located in Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra and the report was prepared by the team. The report mentioned about facilities required at a model fish market. The above-mentioned 10 mentioned fish markets in three districts were found lacking in those facilities. There was no toilets, drainage system, and place to sit and to sell fish, and so on. Hence, the 10 fish markets will be upgraded with facilities like toilets, changing room for fisherwomen, rest room, dining room, bathroom, place to keep their fish and to sell it, drainage facility, stainless tray to sell fish and uniform to fisherwomen.
This hi-tech plan aims at attracting customers to fish markets, said Coastal Development Authority chairman B Nagaraj Shetty in his address at the programme.
Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain presided. District in charge minister Krishna J Palemar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Bantwal MLA Ramanath Rai, deputy speaker Yogish Bhat among others were present.