Minister of State for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Services Pramod Madhwaraj on Friday said he would lead a delegation of department officials and MPs from the coastal region to Delhi next month to press among other things for a conclave of Fisheries’ Ministers from all coastal States.
Speaking to pressperosns here on Friday, he said that such a meeting was essential to move towards having a National Fishing Policy, without which the fishing industry in the country would be in peril. As of now, there was hardly any regulation to govern the industry and it was not a healthy sign, he said.
Almost all other countries had fishing policies, laws and guidelines for the smooth functioning of the industry.
Mr. Madhwaraj said he would also urge MPs from the coastal region in Karnataka to accompany him during the visit on September 28 and 29, where he would meet the Union Agriculture Minister and officials of the Agriculture Ministry. He would also meet the Union Sports Minister during the visit to press for a proper Sports Policy, Mr. Madhwaraj added.
Taking exception to the move of the Union government to scale down its contribution for fishing projects from 75 per cent of the project cost to 50 per cent, Mr. Madhwaraj said he would raise this issue also during the Delhi meeting. The United Progressive Alliance government had been bearing 75 per cent of the cost, he said.
Unless the Centre reverted back to 75 per cent cost sharing, it would be difficult for State governments to execute fishing projects. In fact, fishing sector had been contributing to the export trade of the country.
Mr. Madhwaraj was urged in a review meeting by fishermen to ensure that the Kulai Fishing Harbour project was implemented. The fishermen said hundreds of their elders had sacrificed their living for the construction of the New Mangalore Port. However, the Centre had forgotten its promise to rehabilitate the affected fishermen, they said. The Centre is duty-bound to fulfil the promise and get the Kulai Harbour constructed, they said.
