Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 16: Minister Angara said that all efforts are being made to disburse the remaining portion of the diesel subsidy and kerosene at concessional rate as early as possible. He said that the attention of the centre has been drawn towards these demands through a latter.

Congress MLC K Harish Kumar, had moved a call attention motion in the legislative council on Monday March 15 seeking to complete the schemes meant to extend assistance to the fishermen in Dakshina Kannada district at the earliest. Angara said that discussions were held with finance department officials about the release of diesel subsidy and that the centre has been urged to provide 3.313 kilo litres of kerosene for the fishermen.

Harish Kumar said that the fishermen have not got their diesel subsidy for the last six months. He pointed out that the fishermen are in distress because of coronavirus infection. He demanded to waive interest on the loans of fishermen and to resolve the pending issue of diesel and kerosene on an emergency basis.

The minister informed that Dakshina Kannada district has 57 purse seine boats, 1,327 trawler boats, 1,501 mechanised country boats and 541 non-mechanised country boats. He also said that during the year 2019-20, 1.8 lac tonnes of fish worth Rs 2,031.38 crore was produced.

Angara also stated that the third phase expansion work of the fisheries port at Mangaluru has been undertaken with central assistance at a cost of Rs 57.6 crore rupees. He said that the work got delayed due to a litigation preferred by an individual and he hoped to settle the matter soon. He also said that an all season port costing Rs 196.51 crore is being constructed at Kulai and country boats anchoring area at a cost of Rs 3.37 crore is being executed at Thota Bengre.