The Central Government will issue Kisan cards for even those fishermen who do not have boats, said the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, fisheries animal husbandry and dairy Shri L. Murugan.

Central Minister Shri L. Murugan, Shri Palanichamy, Director, Tamilnadu Fisheries, Shri Alby John Varghese, District Collector, Thiruvallur and Shri Durai Chandrashekhar, MLA, Ponneri participated in an interaction with the fisherfolk that took place in Pulicat of Thiruvallur district.

During the interaction the Union Minister of State spoke as follows:

In order to stabilize the Pulicat estuary, Rs. 26.85 crore has been sanctioned and review work is in progress. He added that the project will come into effect very soon.

The government is taking significant measures to establish ports all over the country, he stated. Adding that 5 ports including the one in Chennai Kasimedu are to be upgraded to international level, he said that including this, construction works are on to establish 6 new ports in the state of Tamilnadu.

If the State Government requests the Centre regarding the establishment of a port in Pulicat,  Shri L. Murugan assured that necessary steps will be taken.

Seaweed farming industry generates more employment. The Minister expressed his happiness that for the first time in India announcement regarding seaweed farming in Tamilnadu has been made in the Union Budget.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), houses are provided to all, he added. Under this scheme, necessary steps will be taken to provide houses to the people of this region, he said.

Stating that the State of Tamilnadu has a coast line of around 700 km because of which there is scope for huge industrial development in this part of the country, Shri L. Murugan stressed that fisherman have an important role to play in India's economic growth. Further he said that Kisan cards will be issued to all fishermen including to those who do not have own boats.

************** 

(Release ID: 1756063) Visitor Counter : 192