Kerala - Kannur   

Coastal area development corporation soon: Minister

Spreading knowledge: Fisheries Minister S. Sarma inaugurating the Matsya Vigyan Kendram at the Fisheries Complex in Kannur on Sunday.

KANNUR: Fisheries Minister S. Sarma has said that formation of the Coastal Area Development Corporation is in the pipeline as the Cabinet has approved the proposal in principle.

Inaugurating the renovation work at the fish landing centre and also a drinking water scheme under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) at Puthiyangadi here on Sunday, Mr. Sarma said that the proposed corporation was being formed for the development of the coastal areas from Kasaragod to Parassala through various projects including construction of fishing harbours.

“There will be a series of development activities in the fisheries sector in the State over the next few years,” the Minister said adding that a blueprint of the corporation to be formed would be prepared in August. He also announced that NABARD had offered financial assistance for the establishment of the corporation.

The Minister also said that the proposed debt relief commission for fishermen would be constituted by the second week of August. The commission would find solution to fishermen’s problems relating to work security, house construction, health care and education of their children.

Mr. Sarma said that since the Puthiyangadi fish landing centre is the oldest fishing harbour in north Kerala, officials had been instructed to submit a detailed report on the renovation and development of the centre in eight months. He said that financial constrains would not be a problem for the development of the fish landing centre as the government was giving priority to development of infrastructure in the fishery sector. Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi presided over the function.

Inaugurating the Madakkara Munambu road work under the TRP in another function at Madakkara, Mr. Sarma said that a factory to manufacture fishing nets would be set up at Azhikkal here. The factory would have 25 units of machinery and was expected to employ nearly 200 workers. Mr. Sarma also said that steps for completing the construction of the auction hall and the wharf as part of the Azhikkal port development project were under way.

M. Prakashan, MLA, chaired the function. The Minister also inaugurated Matsya Vigyana Kendram at the Mappila Bay Fisheries Complex here.

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