Port Blair June 19: The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. A K Singh (Retd.) has called upon all officers of the Administration and the elected representatives of the local governing body such as PBMC and PRIs, to work in all directions for the welfare of the people of the Islands. “The Islands will prosper only when every member of the weaker section of the society is uplifted”, he said while addressing the gathering at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the Modern Fish Market at Junglighat here yesterday morning. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray also graced the function. The State President, BJP, Shri Vishal Jolly was also present on the occasion. The Chairperson PBMC, Smt. Sheela Singh, other Councilors of PBMC, Chief Secretary i/c, Smt Ankita Mishra Bundela, other senior officers of the Administration and a large number of fish vendors and representatives of A&N Fisheries Cooperative Federation Ltd., Junglighat Fish Market Association attended this programme.
The Lt. Governor, along with the Member of Parliament unveiled a plaque to mark the foundation laying of the Modern Fish Market and also inspected its model on the occasion. This project is being funded by the A&N Administration and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
Speaking about the centrally sponsored schemes, the Lt. Governor said that the Central Government, under the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has launched various schemes for the welfare of people of different section in the country, the Modern Fish Market being one of them. There are many other schemes, the benefit of which needs to be delivered to the common man, for whom they are launched, he said. The modern fish market was a long felt need of the fishers of the Islands; he said adding that the foundation stone laying ceremony marks the beginning of a mile stone project.
Stating that the last two years were the golden years as the Islands have witnessed remarkable development in every sector, with the support of the Central Government, the Lt. Governor said, development has taken place in sectors like social security, welfare, economy, health and education. Attributing the success to the team work of all, including the Central Government, A&N
Administration, public representatives and political parties, he said such efforts are required in taking these Islands to the fore.
The Lt. Governor mentioned that fishers are integrated and important segment of the society with their immense contribution in the Islands’ economy. Fisheries has a great potential in the Islands though hardly 30% of the available marine sources is being exploited, the Lt. Governor said adding that the potential of this sector has to be tapped in the right earnest. Initiatives will be taken in due course to consider modernization of fishing in Isles by introducing modern fish trawlers; may be with the collaboration of private firms in the interest of Islands’ economy, the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor also called upon the fishermen community to provide right education to their children for their better future. “The social environment of the Isles is very conducive and children must be encouraged to pursue education as per their aptitude”, he said.
The Lt. Governor also mentioned about some of the development activities that have taken place in the Islands, viz. introductions of chartered flights between Port Blair-Chennai, Port Blair Vizag and Port Blair-Kolkata besides introduction of night flights. He informed that nearly 3000 existing group C vacancies will be filled up in a phased manner to provide employment to youth of the Isles. He desired that fishers may be involved in Marine Police and Home Guard activities so that they act as ‘eyes and ears’ and inform the concerned authority of any suspected movement of vessel in the territory, which will further strengthen the coastal security of the Islands.
“As far as security searches are concerned, the A&N Islands has the best coordination”, said the Lt. Governor adding that biometric card may be initiated in the Fisheries sector for the convenience of the fishers. Mentioning about INCOIS at Hyderabad, the Lt. Governor said the phone numbers of fishermen should be provided to INCOIS for frequent weather updation and the location of the availability of fish in the Islands. This, he said if utilized properly will be a game changer for the Fisheries Department and the fisher folks of A&N Islands.
The Lt. Governor also informed that a study on the availability and uses of sea weed and sea cucumber of A&N Islands are being carried out by CIARI and the results are expected soon. Informing about the upcoming second International Yoga Day to be celebrated in Isles along with the rest of the country on June 21,
the Lt. Governor called upon one and all to participate and make it a grand success.
Speaking about tourism, the Lt. Governor informed that five Islands will further be developed for tourism activities viz. Havelock, Neil, Ross & Smith Island at Diglipur, Long Island and Little Andaman.
Expressing concern over the rising number of suicide cases in the Islands in the recent past, the Lt. Governor said that it is the responsibility of every individual and the whole community to extend help to persons suspected to have such tendency or under stress.
Speaking about education in Isles, the Lt. Governor informed that a Law College with a capacity of 30 students will soon be established in the Islands as also a professional college which should also have a Marine Wing for fishermen to be trained, he said. The Lt. Governor further stated that the Health sector is also on the path of progress and this year, he said, the second batch of MBBS has commenced without any observation and congratulated the Health Department in this regard. “In a year or two, persons with cancer and heart diseases will have themselves treated in the Islands as steps have been taken to establish cancer and heart treatment centers in the Islands”, said the Lt Governor. He also emphasized that the health facilities available at Port Blair should also be made available in the outer Islands like Mayabunder, Hut Bay etc.
The Lt. Governor congratulated the PBMC Chairperson and her team in pursuing the selection of Port Blair as a Smart City and said that there is much to do in pursuing the objective and making Port Blair a true Smart City.
Later, while interacting with the fishermen, the Lt Governor said that a vegetable market and a ‘kisan mandi’ will also be set up at the same area gradually.
In his address, the Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray informed that two modern fish markets have been sanctioned and will be constructed one each at Junglighat and Mohanpura. The foundation stone is being laid for the modern fish market at Junglighat to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 116.47 lakhs, of which 55% funding i.e. Rs. 64.06 lakhs shall be funded by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad and the remaining 45% of the expenditure shall be borne by the A&N Administration, he said. The MP further stated that Fisheries Cooperative Federation has been granted the license for operating diesel pump at Junglighat Fish Landing Jetty, to be
operated by the Federation. The construction work of which is under way, he stated.
The MP informed about the sufficient availability of fertilizers and urea for Isles’ farmers and said seedlings of berry and hybrid coconut and guava will be made available to the farmers for cultivation by the Agriculture Department soon. The MP also highlighted about the centrally sponsored schemes which are to be implemented for the benefit of the fisher folks such as insurance for loss of dinghy to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh, group insurance for fishermen in case of drowning at sea to the tune of Rs. 2 lakhs and GPS facility for fishermen.
The MP also informed about Blue Revolution Scheme of the Central Government which will soon be implemented in the Islands. The scheme will include the data base of A&N Islands indicating the location of the availability of fish for fishermen’s knowledge. Fund for inland fisheries will also be implemented, the MP said, urging all fisher folks to make best use of the schemes that are being implemented for their welfare. He also informed that a cold storage will be constructed at Dollygunj under MPLAD fund.
In her address, the PBMC Chairperson, Smti Sheela Singh stated that the long pending demand of fish vendors has been fulfilled with the foundation stone being laid yesterday. She suggested that besides other facilities like water, electronic weighing machines, proper drains should be made so as to ensure that the waste from the fish does not block them. Proper waste management and treatment of effluent coming from the fish market should be taken care of, she said. She also stressed on the need for proper lighting and wind circulation facilities for the fishers folks to be installed in the market. She remarked that the A&N Islands has a vast potential in the fisheries sector and urged for proper tapping of the resources. This, she said, will also boost employment opportunities for the Islands’ youths. She also stressed on the need for facilitating fishermen with high-tech fishing equipments and stated that fishermen should also be encouraged to harvest sea weed and sea cucumbers which are available in plenty. She stressed the need for establishing a professional course pertaining to fisheries activities in the Islands for the benefits of the fisher folks.
In her welcome address, the Secretary Agriculture/ AHVS/Fisheries, Smt. R. Menaka gave details of the Modern Fish Market at Junglighat. She said with the support of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad the A&N Administration will construct the fish market. Outlining the features of the modern fish market, the Secretary informed that the APWD, A&N Administration will be the executing agency for the construction of modern fish market at Junglighat
which is expected to be completed by October, 2017. The plinth area of the proposed market is 386 Sq. mtrs having a sitting capacity for 68 fish vendors at one time. The display platform will have facilities for keeping small insulated box with fish, display of fish in hygienic condition beside area for dressing and cleaning of fish wastes. The drainage system of the market is planned to avoid bad odour of fish wastes. The market also has provision for a chilled room for storage of fish in ambient conditions for longer shelf life and quality. A separate electronic weighing balance compartment will be provided inside the market to facilitate consumers to check the weight of procured fish. She further informed that the market assistance will also be provided with a room for their daily office routine and a store room as well. Keeping in view the cleanliness of the area, toilet, solid waste management and sewage treatment will be arranged in phase II, she said.
Highlighting the various centrally sponsored schemes which are being implemented in the Islands, she said subsidies are being provided for procurement of engine, ice box, deep freezers, fishing boat, fish transport vehicle and fishing gears materials. She urged all fishermen to make best use of these schemes that are made for their welfare.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Shri Chandrashekar, Director Fisheries.
