Oscar Fernandes favours expansion of Malpe fisheries harbour

Malpe, Karnataka, June 10 (UNI) Union Minister Oscar Fernandes today gave an assurance that if the Karnataka government submitted a scheme for the expansion of Malpe fisheries harbour, he would take it up with the Centre for early clearance.

Addressing a meeting, organised by the Malpe Fishermen's Association to felicitate 'Kadala' Veera Ashok Kundar, a young fisherman who had rescued the lives of three fishermen in the May 27 boat mishap in the Malpe coast in which six people died, he said the harbour had become saturated due to the increase in number of fisheries boats and lack of several facilities.

It was the responsibility of both the Union and State Governments to provide all facilities to see that such mishaps did not recur.

The harbour had also witnessed fire mishaps in 1979 and 1990, he added.

Mr Fernandes said he was ready to sanction funds from his MP Local Area Development fund for infrastructural development of the harbour. Regarding adequate compensation and insurance premium, he had held discussions with Home Minister and the Chief Minister.

Earlier, Mr Pramod Madhwaraj, a prominent fishermen's leader, demanded that in view of the increasing prices in petrol and diesel, the Union Government should provide the required diesel to fishermen at a minimum fixed price. The Government should also reduce the insurance premium to boats in consultation with the insurance tariff committee. In view of the increasing boat accidents, insurance should be made compulsory to every fisherman working in boats.

UNI MA GD PA BST1647