Tamil Nadu   

Slew of measures to benefit fisherfolk

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Free housing scheme, promotion of fishermen’s welfare cooperative societies, fisherwomen individual insurance scheme, group insurance scheme, and rearing of fish in reservoirs and tanks are among the various schemes being implemented by the Tamil Nadu government for the welfare of fishermen and fisherwomen, according to Food Minister E.V. Velu.

Distributing welfare aid to fishermen and their family members at a function organised at the panchayat union office in Thandrambattu on Saturday, Mr. Velu said that fish was being reared by the Department of Fisheries in the Sathanur reservoir, and the tanks of Thamaraikkulam, Ayyankulam, Agni Theerthakulam, Ellaiyora Pillayarkulam and Easanya Kulam in Tiruvannamalai and the Paiyur tank in Arni. Steps have been taken to implement fisheries development schemes in the Shenbagathoppu and Miruganda reservoirs as well. These schemes would benefit the members of the fishermen’s cooperative societies.

The Minister said that three fishermen’s cooperative societies had been started in Tiruvannamalai district. If members of the individual fishermen and fisherwomen’s insurance scheme die in accidents, their families would be given Rs.50,000, while the victims would be paid Rs.35,000 if they were rendered disabled in accidents. Under the group insurance scheme for fishermen, the families of the deceased fishermen would be paid Rs.one lakh. Technical assistance and training was being given to fishermen interested in setting up fisheries tanks or farms. Fishermen, sellers of fish and fish food and processors of fish food, who are in the age group of 18 to 65, are eligible to become members of the Fishermen’s Welfare Board.

Members of the board are given Rs.3,000 as marriage assistance in the case of men and Rs.5,000 in the case of women. Fisherwomen were given Rs.6,000 as maternity assistance, and Rs.3,000 for abortions. Members are given an old age pension of Rs.400 a month.

Mr. Velu said that the government had allotted funds for the construction of the taluk office and staff quarters for Thandrambattu, which was recently upgraded as a taluk headquarters. The Chief Minister has allotted Rs.35 lakh for the construction of a Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation godown in Thandrambattu. A sum of Rs. 5 crore has been allotted for the construction of a bridge across Thenpennai river. Since the sum of Rs.80 lakh allotted for the bridge in T. Velur was found insufficient, the government has allotted an additional Rs.20 lakh.

The Minister said that cardholders ccould inform the control room meant for the public distribution system if they were unable to get essential commodities at the fair price shops.

Mr. Velu distributed cash prizes to the children of fishermen and fisherwomen who stood first in class X and Plus-Two public examinations in 2007, cheques for Rs.15,000 each to 17 women under the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammayar Marriage Assistance Scheme, and cheques to the tune of Rs.8.24 lakh to 137 persons under the flood relief scheme.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Corporates urged to adopt, set up rural schools
Auspicious occasion
Golden chariot for temple
Youth killed in accident
Interesting lessons
Ridden with danger
Stars pitch in for education
South backs NCC up to the hilt
Slew of measures to benefit fisherfolk
‘Aviva Bima Rath’ in Tiruvannamalai
1 killed in accident
Motorcyclist killed
Shoring up Pichavaram as tourist centre
Held under Bootleggers Act
Private company PRO, seven others held
Four child rag-pickers rescued from dump yard
Man knocked down by autorickshaw
Golden chariot for Sri Anjaneyar temple
Seed farms inspected
Avenue trees
Rs.1.70-crore water scheme for Pudukottai
700 quarry workers to covered under free eye camp
Food for the day
CPI seeks action against STF personnel
Dalits stage dharna
Periyar University launches ‘Save Girl Child’ campaign
200 held for bid to march to Chennai
Pollachi coir factories face closure threat
“Release 2,000 cusecs from Mettur dam”
BIT to revamp curriculum
Tank at Thuraiyur posing health hazard
Inauguration of handloom exhibition
Traffic diversion
DMK groups clash in Udumalpet
What they say
Boy ends life over TV channel selection
Car festival held
Three killed in road accidents
Youth killed
Smugglers make most of scanning loopholes
Alert gangman averts train accident
Two police personnel suspended
Body of Maoist handed over
Karunanidhi hopeful of Centre’s announcement
Dalit official abused, attacked in public
Leptospirosis cases on the rise
Nine Sri Lankan refugees arrive at Arichamunai
“State forerunner in initiating welfare schemes for the poor”
Southern Railway emerges as ‘one billion dollar’ company
Panel recommends one-year mandatory rural service for medicos
Manufacturing policy by month-end
Higher education
Postpone road widening work

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu