Jagan releases Rs.123.52 crore to fishermen towards compensation during ban

Nizampatnam (Bapatla dist) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday released Rs.123.52 crore under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa as assistance to fishermen during annual ban period.

Annual fishing ban is observed from April 15 to June 14 as part of conservation drive. The compensation will benefit 1,23,519 fishermen families across the State.

An amount of Rs.10,000 each is being credited directly into their bank accounts.

The Chief Minister also released Rs.107.91 crore towards assistance for 23,458 fishermen families who lost their livelihood due to ONGC pipeline works in Konaseema and Kakinada districts. He also laid foundation stone for the Rs.417crore Nizampatnam fishing harbour.

Addressing a public meeting here after releasing the amount by clicking a button, Reddy said that so far each fisherman family has received Rs.50,000 in the last four years under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa.

“I appeal to you to remember this is your government which will continue to work for your welfare,” he said.

He told the people to mark the difference between the present and previous Governments. While the TDP spent hardly Rs104 crore for assisting fishermen in the entire 5-year rule for the cause, the present government has spent over Rs.538 crore in the last four years for assisting the fishermen.

“The TDP Government provided only Rs.6 subsidy on diesel purchase by fishermen for running their boats, spending not even Rs. 12 crore annually while the present government is giving Rs.9 subsidy on purchase of diesel incurring an annual expenditure of Rs.25 crore,” he said, adding that the ex-gratia to the kin of the diseased fishermen families has been increased to Rs.10 lakh from Rs.5 lakh given during TDP rule.

The Chief Minister said the Government spent Rs. 2,792 crore for supplying electricity at subsidy rate of Rs.1.50 per unit for aqua farmers, clearing the outstanding arrears of Rs. 451 crore left by TDP rule.

Unlike the TDP, the government has been implementing various schemes for the welfare of the fishermen, he said, adding that 10 new fishing harbours and six fish land centers are being built with an expenditure of Rs.3800 crore with a view to stop migration of fishermen, besides establishing a Fisheries University in West Godavari district.

The Fisheries University will produce professional and skilled human personnel, impart knowledge on better fishing activities, train fishermen and aqua farmers on advanced technologies besides supplying quality seed, medicines and feed supplements and helping recruit skilled Fisheries Assistants at RBKs, he said.

Government is also setting up an aqua farm in 280 acres at Dindi and 11,385 aqua farmers will be benefited from this, he said, asserting that the government willl be committed to do more for the economic development of fishermen and aqua farmers.