Sri Vijaya Puram, September 30: A delegation of the Fishermen Welfare Association, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, led by General Secretary Shri B. Hema Raju, along with Shri S. U. Maheswar Rao, Chairman, A&N Fisheries Cooperative Federation Ltd. (ANIFCOFED), V.Papa Rao, President (FWA), P. Nageshwar Rao, Vice- President, ANIFCOFED & K.Papa Rao representatives of the Junglighat Fisherman, met the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dr. Dinesh Sharma ji, at Lok Niwas, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the long-pending issues and developmental requirements of the fishermen community. The following major demands were placed before the Lieutenant Governor:
1. Construction of a 100 MT Government Ice Plant at Sri Vijaya Puram City to address the shortage and high cost of ice blocks faced by fishermen.
2. Construction of a Fishing Landing Centre/Jetty, Fish Handling Shed and Fish Market at Dignabad, including the long-pending RCC bore-pile fishing jetty with breakwater.
3. Introduction of a relief scheme for fishermen during the monsoon and cyclonic weather season, when fishing activities are restricted for several months.
4. Re-launch of the “Fishermen Modern Village” scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for providing suitable residential accommodation to fishermen living in coastal areas.
5. Waiver of working-capital loans with interest amounting to about ₹43 lakh availed by 26 Fisheries Cooperative Societies, to enable the societies to revive their activities and generate employment.
6. Posting of a Director (Fisheries) having a Marine Fisheries background in the A&N Administration for effective development of the fisheries sector.
7. Extension of electricity, diesel, water and other subsidy/facilities to Fisheries and Aquaculture on par with Agriculture, in accordance with the relevant Government of India directions/policy.
8. Dredging of the sea area near Junglighat Fish Landing Centre to restore adequate depth and facilitate safe movement of fishing boats, particularly during low tide.
9. Introduction of assistance for construction of traditional Bonga Dongi boats under the UT Plan scheme, with suitable design modifications using locally suitable materials/FRP coating.
10. Restarting and operationalisation of the Diesel Bunk at Junglighat Fish Landing Centre and allotment/management to ANIFCOFED, to ensure timely and affordable diesel availability to fishermen.
The delegation also requested the Lieutenant Governor to personally visit the Fish Landing Centre at Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram, to assess the ground-level infrastructure and difficulties being faced by the fishermen community.
The delegation stated that timely implementation of these demands would provide substantial support to the fishermen community, strengthen fisheries infrastructure and improve the livelihood opportunities of local fishermen.
The Lieutenant Governor reportedly assured the delegation that the issues raised would be examined and that necessary action would be taken for their timely implementation.
The Fishermen Welfare Association expressed its gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for giving a patient hearing to the delegation and for assuring action on the long-pending issues of the fishermen community.
