Govt releases Rs 25 cr for fishers in EG dist: MLA

Kakinada: MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao has said the government is acting to develop every fishing family in the state. He participated as chief guest at the fishing nets distribution programme organised by the fisheries department here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the MLA informed that their government had released Rs 25 crore exclusively to East Godavari district fishermen community for purchasing of fishing nets. Every fisherman should utilise this opportunity to increase their standard of living. A sum of Rs 300 crore was allotted for the fishers in 13 districts of the state. He informed that the government was offering 50 per cent subsidy on large size fishing nets worth Rs four lakh each. 

The fishermen could get a benefit of two lakh rupees. On the nets worth Rs one lakh each, 50 percent subsidy was announced by the government. On the other hand, on the nets which were smaller in size and worth Rs 15,000, they would get 75 percent subsidy.  

The MLA also stated that their government was now sanctioning Rs 4,000 for every fishing family at the times of crop holiday at sea. Venkateswara Rao promised that the government would also take a decision on granting pension to the retired fishermen. He urged all the fishing families that they should allow their children to study in the schools. 

Additional Director of Fisheries Koteswara Rao said that they were giving a subsidy of 75 percent on mechanised fishing boats and electronic equipment. Earlier, the MLA distributed 60 fishing nets to the Dummula Peta and Parlo Peta fishermen. Fisheries FDOs Lakshmana Rao, Venkateswara Rao, Corporators Malladi Gangadharam, Tummala Ramesh, Musa Danamma, Dasu and others participated.