K'taka to come up with package for fishermen community

Mangalore, Mar 9 (UNI) The Karnataka Government is planning to come out with a comprehensive package for the fishermen community to solve their problems, Fisheries, Muzrai and Horticulture Minister B Nagaraja Shetty informed today.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 1.50 crore developmental works at the South Warf of the Mangalore Fishereis Harbour here, he said the package programme was expected to be included in the Budget for 2006-07.

He also said he would interact with fishermen representatives and officials concerned every month to review the progress of the developmental works and find solutions to the problems of the fishermen community.

The developmental works included construction of a new fish auction hall by Metro Cash and Carry India, Bangalore, at a cost of Rs 55 lakh and modernisation works taken up by Fisheries and Port Department in association with other organisations at a cost of Rs 90 lakh.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Micheal L Keelan, Director, Food Buying, Metro Cash and Carry India, said the modern fish auction centre coming up at the Fish Landing Centre would be completed by June this year and handed over to the Department of Fisheries.

This centre would all facilities including enhanced ventilation system, air curtains, efficient cleaning and drainage system and water jets, he said and added that a similar facility had been built by his company at Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu for the tsunami-hit fishermen.

He said his company, which had commenced operations in India in 2003, had last year sponsored a training programme for 239 fishing crew members in Mangalore, Malpe and Tadadi. The ongoing programme covered post harvest management of fish and topics such as responsible and sustainable fishing practices.

Over 900 fishing crew members from 17 landing centres in four states were expected to benefit from this programme, he added.

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