Minister for Tourism S.P. Shanmuganathan inaugurated a seafood fair price stall launched on a trial basis at Surangudi in Vilathikulam panchayat union near here on Sunday.
The facility was launched under the Pudhu Vazhvu Thittam to curb the soaring prices of seafood. A group of 20 persons would be involved in managing the fish stall. Many people living in 236 village panchayats in Tuticorin, Pudur, Kayatar, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram and Vilathikulam unions would enjoy the benefits of this scheme.
In Vilathikulam, 192 families had been earning their livelihood under the Pudhu Vazhvu Thittam, the Minister said. Adequate funds were allotted to alleviate poverty in rural areas and to improve rural infrastructure, he said.
Collector M. Ravikumar, who was instrumental in the launch of the stall, said based on the response of the consumers, similar fish stalls would be opened at other places across the district.
Last month, sale of tender coconuts at a fair price was introduced at Kovilpatti under this scheme, and it got an overwhelming response from the consumers, he pointed outVilathikulam MLA G.V. Markandeyan and S. Selvaraj, president of Surangudi panchayat, were present.
