Hon'ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI, Dr. L Murugan arrives on a two day visit to Isles

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Minister visits Fish Landing Centre at Rangat; assures ofall assistance from Govt. for developing 'Model Fishermen Village' Project in North & Middle Andaman District

Port Blair, July 14: The Hon'ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI, Dr. L Murugan, arrived here on a two day visit to the A&N Islands today. On arrival, the Minister was received by Senior Officers of the Administration, PBMC Chairperson and public representatives. Soon after arrival at Port Blair, the Minister proceeded to Rangat where he visited the Fish Landing Centre at Rangat Bay. Addressing the gathering, especially the fishermen community there, the Minister stated that prior to 2014 there was no separate Ministry for Fisheries but after 2014 the Central Government created a separate Ministry named Fisheries Ministry for the development of Fisheries sector in the country.

The Minister further said, keeping in mind the huge potential in fisheries sector, the Central Govt. immediately brought a scheme named ‘Blue Revolution’ in 2015 under which a fund of Rs. 5000 Crores was provided for implementation of different schemes for the development of Fisheries Sector. In 2017, a new scheme named 'Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund' was introduced in which provision for Rs. 7500 crore was kept for taking up projects like creation of Fish Landing Centres, development of fishing harbor, construction of ice plants and cold storages, processing plants, development of community hall for fishermen and dwelling units for fishermen etc, all over the country, the Minister added.

The Minister said, to make the Fishermen 'aatmanirbhar' during the COVID period, a new scheme named ‘Pradhan MantriMatsyaSampadaYojana’ was announced by the Prime Minister in which Rs. 20,000 crore was earmarked to carry out various activities for the betterment of the Fishermen community. Some of the activities under this scheme are being implemented in these Islands too, he said. The Minister said that he is happy to hear from some of the fishermen that they have been benefitted from the Pradhan MantriMatsyaSampadaYojana.

The Minister also highlighted different schemes of the Ministry of Fisheries and urged the Fishermen to avail the benefits of the schemes. He further said that the demand of the fishermen community for additional fund for completing the 'Model Fishermen Villages' will be fulfilled and assured of all assistance from Govt. for developing 'Model Fishermen Village' Project in N&M Andaman District. The Minister further informed that the Ministry has also brought 'Deep Sea Fishing Scheme' for the small fishermen so that they can also establish their businesses and export fish directly. The Minister urged the fishermen to take advantage of this scheme.

The Minister also interacted with the newly appointed SagarMitras under PMMSY who have been appointed for promoting the schemes under PMMSY. The Minister urged the SagarMitras to work sincerely and create awareness about the various schemes under the Fisheries Ministry for the betterment of the fishermen community. The Pradhan of Nimbutala informed the Minister about the issues of fishermen in particular and the general public of the area in general.

Earlier on arrival, the Minister was welcomed by the senior officers of the Fisheries Department at Fish Landing Centre at Rangat Bay.

Earlier, the Minister interacted with the PRI members and BJP leaders & workers at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium at Rangat. He also met and interacted with the public representative and office bearers of NGOs at Govt. Guest House Rangat. The Minister also visited the Azad Hind Fauj Setu at Kadamtala and interacted with beneficiaries of various Govt. schemes.