K'taka Govt may acquire dredger for desilting work

Malpe, Karnataka, Nov 22 (UNI) The Karnataka Government is seriously considering a proposal to acquire a dredger to remove accumulated silt in the sea mouths of all 14 fisheries ports along the coastal belt from Mangalore to Karwar, Fisheries Minister B Nagaraja Shetty said today.

Laying the foundation stone for various developmental programmes in the fisheries harbour here, he said the Government was well aware of the increasing boat mishaps due to non-dredging for several years. The Government would also seek financial aid from the Centre for the purpose.

He said reconstruction of auction hall at Rs 80 lakh, gear shed and net mending shed and yard works at a total cost of Rs 2.05 crore for which the foundation stones were laid today would be completed in 18 months. Ten per cent of the project cost would be borne by the State Governement, while the remaining would be taken care of by the Centre.

Mr Shetty said the State Government had approved Rs 4.14 crore for reviving the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, which had become defunct in 1998. Besides, the Centre had also provided Rs one crore for the purpose.

The Minister said instructions had also been issued to the fisheries and port department to install signals in all fisheries ports, the maintenance of which would be made by the department.

He said that under 'Matsya Mahila Swavalabana Yojana', for which the Government had given administrative approval on August seven, a loan of Rs 5,000 each would be provided to all fisherwomen involved in daily fish marketing and allied activities. The Government during the current year would provide Rs 29 lakh as revolving fund in Udupi district through 29 fishermen/fisherwomen Cooperative Society to 580 beneficiaries. Under the 'Matsyashraya' scheme, the Ministry had decided to construct 10,000 houses this year for fishermen by providing Rs 30,000 each as subsidy.

Medical Education and Udupi district incharge Minister Dr V S Acharya, who also participated in the function, urged that the dredging work in all 14 fisheries port should be taken up on a war footing.

Both Ministers, referring to the opposition to the coal-based thermal power plant in Udupi district, assured that they were with the people on the issue and said the previous Government had only granted approval for the project.

UNI MA GD TS1810