Separate dept for fisheries likely

The Centre is considering formation of a dedicated department for comprehensive development of the fisheries sector and fish workers.

The Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Prof K.V. Thomas, said here that the proposal is under active consideration of the Prime Minister.

At present, the Fisheries Department comes under the Agriculture Department. However, the Centre had mooted the plan of a separate department recognising the importance of the fisheries sector, he said.

The Minister was inaugurating a mass contact programme of fish workers and an awareness seminar here.

He said the government had still not been able to formulate a good enough project to bring about qualitative change in the lives of fish workers. The inhabitants of coastal areas still remained backward. The welfare of this section was another reason for thinking about a separate department.

Distribution of foodgrains to fish workers would be ensured by recognising them as belonging to the Below Poverty List under the new Food Security Bill, he said.

Homes for fish workers

Later at a different function, the State Fisheries Minister, Mr K. Babu, said that a project worth Rs 3,000 crore will be implemented to provide housing to 30,000 homeless fish workers in the state. This was part of the state government policy in order to ensure housing to all the homeless fishing workers.

The Minister was speaking at a function inaugurating the distribution of benefits to fish workers.

He said that as many as 800 houses will be constructed under the model fishing village project. Funding will be provided for 1,000 toilets to ensure sanitation in coastal areas, he said adding that each fishing worker will be given an assistance of Rs 1,000 before Onam.