The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : 45-crore package for tsunami-hit fishermen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

45-crore package for tsunami-hit fishermen

By Ravi Reddy

HYDERABAD, JAN. 11. More than 50,000 fishermen families badly affected by the killer tsunami of December 26 can hope to make a new beginning as the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) has come up with a Rs. 45-crore rehabilitation package.

A comprehensive rehabilitation package has been prepared by the Velugu after in-depth survey of the affected areas of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

The Velugu teams, which fanned out into the devastated areas soon after the tidal wave, interacted with the local elected representatives, community elders, affected families and officials to prepare micro plan for immediate restoration of livelihoods.

Village-level micro plan prepared with the assistance of Self Help Groups and Village Organisations showed that 50,000 fishermen families had been completely displaced. The relief package made specific reference to the needs of the fishermen as well as the fisherwomen members of SHGs.

According to statistics prepared by Fisheries Department, the total loss in the sector was Rs. 57.89 crores. The loss from boats, catamarans numbering around 12,189 was Rs. 8.72 crores. Fishing nets worth Rs. 39.21 crores, dry fish costing about Rs. 4 lakhs and 47 jetties were damaged.

Action plan

Velugu officials after a meeting with the department came up with a plan to help the fishermen. It was decided to supply one net for each existing boat and fishing nets (Alla in Telugu) for community use. Wherever possible damaged boats and catamarans were to be repaired and in other cases new ones acquired for one group of fishermen numbering 5 to 7. It was decided to procure the fishing equipment through the village organisation network by utilising the CIF funds.

The Velugu Chief Executive Officer, T. Vijay Kumar, told The Hindu that the Government's short-term and long-term rehabilitation package was being prepared.

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