Port Blair, Feb. 22: The Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, Smt. Krishna Raj, who is currently on visit to the Islands today visited Baratang and interacted with the officers of the Department of Fisheries and local fishers at Forest Guest House, Baratang. The fishers of the area put forth various issues like supply of fishing materials by the Department of Fisheries as done earlier, as the present supply of fishing materials by PRIs are not regular. They also requested for establishing a floating jetty at Baratang for safe berthing of fishing craft.
The fishers also informed that they are presently staying in the forest land and requested for their permanent settlement. The MoS patiently heard the grievances raised by the fishers and advised the Director of Fisheries to include the establishment of Floating Jetty in the Annual Plan 2018-19. Regarding settlement of the fishermen, she suggested to settle the fishers at Baratang by exchanging the Revenue Land with the Forest Land.
The Minister further advised to conduct regular awareness programme on the various welfare programmes of Govt. of India under Blue Revolution, UT Plan, RKVY and Centrally Sponsored schemes among the fisher community. Dr. Utpal Kumar Sar, Director of Fisheries assured that the work related to establishment of floating jetty shall be taken up during 2018-19 while the other issues raised by the fishers will also be attended on priority.
