Won’t fail fishermen like PM Modi, says CM Stalin; announces Rs 576 cr welfare package

CHENNAI: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government of 'neglecting' the requests of the State, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that his government would not fail to protect the livelihood of 'our' fishermen. Stalin also announced various special packages worth Rs 576.73 crore for the welfare of fishermen in the Gulf of Mannar region in the State.

Making a statement under rule 110 during the Zero Hour in the State Assembly, Stalin referred to the just concluded PM Modi’s Sri Lankan visit and said, "It appears no major measures were undertaken for the release of fishermen in Lankan custody and retrieval of Katchatheevu island during the PM's visit to Lanka. We are greatly dismayed that the expected release of the 97 imprisoned fishermen and their boats did not materialise."

Describing the repeated arrest of fishermen in the last few months as 'worrying', Stalin said, "We are led to believe that the Union government and Prime Minister are neglecting our demands. No matter how the Union behaves, we will not fail to protect the livelihood of our fishermen. The DMK regime will always stand by them."

Spl package’s focus on fisherfolk livelihood improvement too

Seeking to assuage the fears of the fisherfolk and find a partial solution to their perennial problem of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu being arrested and their boats impounded by the Lankan Navy, Stalin announced a Rs 576.73 crore special package comprising various welfare measures for the fishing community in the Gulf of Mannar region, comprising Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Thoothukudi, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur.

The Chief Minister informed the House that a GO has been issued to develop a fishing harbor at Rs 150 crore in Thangachimadam to help the fishermen of the Gulf of Mannar region venture into the Indian Ocean from the southern part for deep-sea fishing.

Recalling an earlier announcement to develop fishing harbours at Pamban (Rs 60 crore) and Kundukkal (Rs 150 crore), the CM announced a new livelihood package, including a special scheme at Rs 52.33 crore to provide equipment and technical training to 7,000 beneficiary fishermen in cultivation, processing and development of value added products from Seaweed and Rs 25.82 crore for cage fish farming, processing and sales.

The CM also proposed a range of schemes at Rs 54.48 crore for the benefit of 20,100 fishermen to engage them in vocations such as fishing net sewing, net repair, boat construction and repair, dry fish production, ornamental fish tank production and boat navigation training.