The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Extend Central subsidy to tsunami-hit fishermen'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 27, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Extend Central subsidy to tsunami-hit fishermen'

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. M. Appavu, Congress MLA from Radhapuram, has urged the Centre to extend Rs. 20,000 subsidy announced by it in October last to tsunami-affected fishermen in Tamil Nadu.

In a representation to the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram on Tuesday, Mr. Appavu pointed out that as per the scheme a subsidy of Rs. 20,000 was to be extended to fishermen for the purchase of out board motor of 8-10 Horse Power. This amount was to be shared between the State and the Centre and the implementation of the scheme was to be done by the National Cooperative Development Corporation.

While this scheme was being successfully implemented in other States, Tamil Nadu was not implementing it. It wanted the Centre to extend the subsidy and direct the State to carry out the scheme for the benefit of fishermen affected by tsunami. It said the relief work should be carried out under the direct supervision of the Centre so that the benefit would reach the needy.

Mr. Appavu also wanted the Centre to set up mini-fishing harbour near the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu so that fishermen would be benefited. The outstanding loans of fishermen should be written off. He sought Centre's permission for installation of a statue for Kamaraj in front of the Koodankulam nuclear plant.

In a memorandum submitted to the Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, Mr. Appavu wanted the railways to expedite the conversion of the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur meter gauge line into broad gauge; laying of new broad gauge line from Pondicherry to Kanyakumari via Cuddalore and construction of a full-fledged railway station at Panagudi, which was close to the Indian Space Research Organisation as well as the Koodankulam nuclear plant.

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