Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Sep 19: "Dredging work will be started in Gangolli estuary area by next week at a cost of Rs 2 crore keeping in mind the demands of the fishermen in the region. The work will be initiated after a puja of the equipment in the presence of the MLA in the next four to five days," said Baburao Chinchansur, minister for ports and textiles.
He gave the assurance after visiting Gangolli port and estuary on Friday, Sep 19.
He said that an amount of Rs 102 crore has been approved for the Gangolli port under the union government and state partnership. “It may take some time to get it converted into tender. Under the circumstances, it has been decided to start dredging work immediately and this will begin in a week,” said Chinchansur.
“The era of development in the state under the leadership of Siddaramaiah has started. A minor port policy is being implemented for the development of fishermen and their welfare in the state and the cabinet has approved it. Nearly 12 ports in three districts will be developed in stages under the project. Maritime boats will also be started. The Siddaramaiah-led government has presented a special package for fishermen in the region and the problems of the fishermen will be solved in stages. The government is prepared to take all steps in order to enable fishermen to live a peaceful life,” he said.
“It is not possible to measure the achievement of a minister within one year and four months. All the ministers in the state should be allowed at least two to three years before they can be judged. It is not proper to compare their achievements so soon," opined Chinchansur.
Speaking to media persons, he said that there are no incompetent ministers in the Siddaramaiah government.
“The extension of the cabinet or its revision is left to the union government and the chief minister. They will take a suitable decision in due course. The chief minister is in favour of the poor and the downtrodden and the state government has provided several people-friendly programmes,” he added.
Department superintendent engineer Jambala, director Mohan, Kundapur section official Yogeshwara, fishermen’s department assistant director Ganesh, Gangolli Primary Fishermen Co-operative Association president K Naga Kharvi, Gangolli Fresh Fish Traders’ Association president Surendra D Kharvi, Gangolli rural Congress president Durgaraj Poojary, fishermen leaders Pundalik Bangera, Krishna Kotian, Nagappayya Patel, Manjunath Kharvi, and Shivappa Kharvi were present.