CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday reiterated his party’s demand on retrieving Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka to put an end to the ordeals faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen. He said this after inaugurating an exclusive fishing harbour for Tuna fishing constructed at a cost of Rs 272.70 crore at Tiruvottiyur here.
A release said this is the first such exclusive harbour for Tuna fishing in the country. The facilities available will help fishermen returning with tuna from deep sea to swiftly sell the catch to exporters without impacting the quality.
It said around 6,250 people involved in fishing and related jobs in 12 fishing villages will benefit from the fishing harbour, which has the capacity to handle 70,000 tonnes of fish every year.
He also inaugurated 12 other projects completed by the fisheries department across the state through video conference. These projects were implemented at a total cost of Rs 426.13 crore.
He also laid the foundation stone for new fish landing centres at Thangachimadam and Rosma Nagar in Ramanathapuram district, worth Rs 170 crore.
Additionally, he launched the ‘Alaigal’ (waves) microcredit scheme for women’s self-help groups through the Tamil Nadu State Apex Fisheries Co-operative Federation Limited and commenced the distribution of welfare assistance worth Rs 10.67 crore to 2,290 beneficiaries.
Stalin underscored the role of fishing hamlets stretching from Palaverkadu to Kovalam in Chennai’s development.
“Protecting the welfare and livelihood of fisherfolk is akin to preserving Tamil cultural identity. Our Dravidian model government has been fulfilling this duty,” he said.