Sri Vijaya Puram, July 1: Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, has written to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah seeking their immediate intervention for implementation of the Government of India’s decision dated 28 June 2024 to extend agriculture-equivalent facilities and subsidies to the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the Islands.
In his letter, the Hon’ble MP pointed out that the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying had requested all States and Union Territories to examine the feasibility of extending to the fisheries and aquaculture sector the same benefits available to the agriculture sector, including subsidized electricity tariff, water supply connections, diesel subsidy and other welfare measures. However, despite the passage of more than two years, the A & N Administration has neither taken a final decision nor obtained the necessary approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned Ministries, wherever required. As a result, thousands of fishermen, fish farmers, fisheries cooperatives and other stakeholders continue to be deprived of the benefits envisaged by the Government of India.
The MP emphasized that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly. Therefore, policy matters involving financial implications fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, and the decisions and directions of the Government of India are binding on the UT Administration after obtaining the concurrence of the competent Ministry, wherever necessary.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray further highlighted that fisheries is one of the major sources of livelihood in the Islands and contributes significantly to employment generation, food security and the local economy. However, unlike the agriculture sector, fishermen and aquaculture farmers continue to bear higher costs on electricity, water and diesel, affecting the sustainability of their livelihood.
Therefore, the Mr. Ray has requested the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to issue necessary directions to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to implement the Government of India’s decision in letter and spirit by extending to the fisheries and aquaculture sector all facilities, concessions and subsidies available to the agriculture sector, including subsidized electricity tariff, water supply connections, diesel subsidy and all other admissible benefits.
Copies of the letter have also been forwarded to the Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, the President of the Fishermen Welfare Association, A&N Islands, and the Convener of the Fishermen Cell, BJP, A&N Islands.