Development of fisheries infrastructure seems to be the main thrust area in fisheries sector in the Agri-Budget submitted by the Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, on Thursday.

The agri-budget allocated Rs 100 crore for the construction of small fishing harbours along the Karnataka coast, and Rs 5 crore for the construction of fish markets, and Rs 9 crore for the construction of houses for houseless fishermen.

Mr Nitin Kumar, Chairman of the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, told Business Line that the Rs 100-crore plan will help establish small fisheries harbours and fish landing centres along coastal Karnataka.

Stating that Kerala has around 25 fish landing centres, he said Karnataka has around 10-12. With the allocated funds, there is scope to set up another five to six fish landing centres along the coast.

Small harbours

While placing the agri-budget, the Chief Minister stated that fishermen are facing several problems due to lack of suitable harbours in coastal areas of the State.

Considering this, he said, he proposed to construct small harbours for fishermen in the coastal areas through partnership with organisations having such experience, and made an allocation of Rs 100 crore for this purpose.

The budget also proposed a scheme to provide a well-organised market for marketing fish in urban and rural areas.

Allocating Rs 5 crore this year, Mr Yeddyurappa said that this will help establish 50 new markets. To be built under public-private partnership, each market will get an assistance of Rs 10 lakh from the State Government.

Housing for fishermen

Under the housing scheme for fishermen, the Government had made an assistance of Rs 40,000/ house till now. Nearly, 25,000 fishermen were given assistance under this scheme.

The budget proposed to increase the assistance to Rs 60,000/ house.

By allocating Rs 9 crore for this sector, the State Government proposes to construct 2,000 houses.

KCCI hails steps

Mr G.G. Mohandas Prabhu, President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that KCCI had mooted a plan to set up a fisheries harbour at Kulai-Hosabettu in Mangalore.

He hoped that the Rs 100-crore plan would help set up that harbour in Mangalore.

He said the KCCI welcomes the Government's plans to unveil an agri-business policy, and the proposals to set up warehouses and cold storage chains for agriculture produces in the state.

These measures will immensely benefit the entrepreneurs and trade and industry, he added.

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