Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Dec 3: Minister for fisheries and district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Thursday December 3 handed over Rs 6 lac ex-gratia to the families of five deceased and one missing fisherman in the boat capsizing incident which supposedly took place on Monday late night at around 15 nautical miles from Bunder port of the city.
Handing over the compensation sanction order copy to victims' family members at deputy commissioner's office, Poojary said, "From the department, as there is a provision to provide only Rs 6 lac compensation, it is being handed over to the family of the victims. As today is a government holiday, the compensation will be credited to their accounts by tomorrow (December 4)."
He also said that along with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and local MLAs, he will meet chief minister B S Yediyurappa urging him to release an additional grant of Rs 4 lac to each family of the victims of the boat tragedy.
"Whatever available facilities are in the department of fisheries, they will be provided to the family members of the victims," he assured.
Poojary also said that he will direct the director of the fisheries department to hold an inquiry into the mid-sea capsizing of the purse seine vessel ‘Shree Raksha’ and create awareness among the fishermen to use life-saving jackets compulsorily during fishing.
During the occasion, the local corporator also urged the administration to make an arrangement for a barge attached with a crane to search Ansar, the fisherman who is missing in the tragedy.
In his response, Poojary directed deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Rajendra K V to make necessary arrangements to trace the missing fisherman.
Later, the DC said that he has asked DySP of coastal security police Gangi Reddy and deputy director of fisheries department Parshwanath to arrange a barge which is presently working at Someshwara to deploy it to lift the capsized boat from the water and trace the missing fisherman. He also said that the swimming experts are in search of the missing fisherman.
"In the coming days, the administration will also create awareness among the fisherfolk on using life jackets while fishing and importance of boat safety and life insurance to the fisherman and to their families," he said.
The district administration observed a silent prayer for the lives lost in the tragedy.
BJP state unit president MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Vedavyasa Kamath were also present.