Port Blair, Aug 26: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President, Pradesh Congress Committee along with the Fishermen community of Hope town recently met with the Director of Fisheries Dr Krishnamoorthy and appraised him the difficulties being faced by them.
On the issue of installation of a Ice plant and cold storage at Hope town, Mr. Sharma has advocated for the Fishermen community and informed the Director of Fisheries that these fishermen has to dispose their stock of fish to various markets like Bambooflat fish market, wimberlygunj and other places.
Usually they catch Fish during night time and send it to various market places on the next morning. Due to non availability of sufficient quantum of ice, they have to sustain heavy loss on becoming their fish stale. Mr. Sharma has also stated that it costs much to procure ice from Port Blair which reflects on the selling price of fish. Though for last 5 to 6 years the question of installation of an ice plant at Hope town is in the file but could not materialised till date. The Director of Fisheries has assured that very soon he will find out a suitable place of such plant near by Hope town and issue order for installation of Ice plant.
While on discussing the issue, Mr. Sharma has also told to the fishermen to acquire engine fitted fishing crafts for fishing for which the Director of Fisheries is allowing 50% subsidy. Such mechanised fishing craft will enable them to catch good quantum of fish. At present the Fishermen of Right Meo, hope town, Sholbay, Bambooflat and Panighat are having a total 143 hand rowing crafts while only 78 engine fitted crafts are there in their possession.
The Director of Fisheries has also assured that there is sufficient fund available for allowing subsidized engine fitted fishing crafts, so the fishermen may avail this opportunity. Pleading for the welfare of the Fishermen of the islands, Mr. Sharma has also requested to the Director of Fisheries to allow them Fishermen Credit Card like Kishan Credit Card which was accepted by the Director. Mr. Sharma, at the end, has requested to waive off the loan amount of all such fishing crafts which were totally damaged due to Tsunami waves and The Director of Fisheries has assured that he will take suitable action to this effect.
