VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday released Rs 123.52 crore under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme as assistance for marine fishing ban period (April 15 to June 14), benefiting 1,23, 519 fishermen families across the State. An amount of Rs 10,000 each would be 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 417 crore Nizampatnam fishing harbour.
Addressing a public meeting organised at Nizampatnam in Bapatla district, Jagan said that so far each fisherman family has received Rs 50,000, including the amount disbursed today, under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa. He also informed that Rs 538 crores were given to fishermen families in the five editions of Matsyakara Bharosa.
On the occasion, he called upon people to note the difference between the present and previous governments. “While previous TDP government hardly spent Rs 104crore 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,” he said.
“The TDP government provided Rs 4,000 crore as assistance. However after YSRC came to power, the financial assistance was increased to Rs 10,000 per beneficiary and most importantly it was paid during the ban period itself, unlike before,” he added. “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 deceased fishermen families has been increased to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh given during TDP rule.
Taking a dig at the previous TDP regime, the CM said, “In Mumadivara constituency, when Gujarat State Petroleum Limited (GSPC) commenced drilling in 2012, 16,500 fishermen lost their livelihood and each of them were to be compensated Rs 47,250 for seven months, a total of Rs 78 crore. However, Naidu, who became the CM in 2014, completely ignored it. But, our government paid the amount to and later got it reimbursed from the Centre.”“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 crores left by TDP rule,” the CM added.
“An aqua farm will be set up in 280 acres at Dindi, benefitting 11,385 aqua farmers. As many as 10 new fishing harbours and six fish land centres are being built with an expenditure of Rs 3,800 crore with a view to stop migration of fishermen, besides establishing a fisheries university in West Godavari district,” he added, asserting that the Government would be committed to do more for the economic development of fishermen and aqua farmers.
“The fisheries university will produce professional and skilled human resources, 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. In response to the appeal of party MP M Venkataramana, the CM sanctioned Rs 37.50 crore for various developmental works at Nizampatnam. Bapatla Collector P Ranjit Basha and Fisheries Minister Dr S Appala Raju were also present.
Aqua farm in Dindi for 11,385 ryots
The CM announced that an aqua farm will be set up in 280 acres at Dindi, which will benefit around 11,385 aqua farmers. As many as 10 new fishing harbours and six fish land centres will be built with an expenditure of Rs 3,800 crore with a view to stop migration of fishermen. A fisheries university will also be established in West Godavari district.