By Our Correspondent
BHADRAK/BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala led the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-XI on its third day at Chandinipal, Bhadrak district of Odisha. He interacted with beneficiaries such as fishermen, fisherwomen, PFCS members etc. Fisherfolk and beneficiaries under PMMSY actively participated during the event. They discussed their challenges related to fish landing centre and informed that approx. 10,000 fishermen are dependent on Chandinipal fish landing center and its dry fish are famous all over in India.
During the event, Union Minister heard the issues of Chandinipal fisherfolk. He said that necessary steps will be taken on the challenges being faced by fishermen like infrastructure of market will improve considering the hygiene factors. Sagar Parikrama Yatra continued at Dhamara Fishing Harbour in Bhadrak, where the Dhamara River meets with the Bay of Bengal.
Shri Parshottam Rupala interacted with beneficiaries under PMMSY and felicitated them with Kisan Credit Card (KCC). He also distributed assets (Motorcycle with Ice Box) under PMMSY scheme to beneficiaries.
Shri Rupala said that conducting the PMMSY scheme activities shall have a significant impact on the fisheries sector in India. PMMSY aims to enhance the production and productivity of fish through the adoption of modern and scientific methods of fisheries and aquaculture. This will not only boost the income of fishermen and fish but also increase the availability of fish in the market, which will have a positive impact on food security and nutrition. During the event, go-ahead letters have been issued for construction of Modern Fish Retail Market, Modernization of existing Ice Plant as well.
Secretary (Fisheries), Dr Abhilaksh Likhi informed about the major initiatives have been taken and projects of approx. Rs 1071 Cr. have been sanctioned in Odisha for the welfare and livelihood of the fishermen which includes aqua park, fish landing centers, fishing harbours etc. Further, he visited and inspected the Dhamara Fishing Harbour in Bhadrak and interacted with fishers on the field and discussed regarding their insulated van. He also visited the fishing vessel to check the fish sorting process.
The program continued at Chudamani, Bhadrak district and Chandipur Fishing Harbour, Balasore district of Odisha followed by on-ground interaction with fishermen, fisherwomen, and fish farmer. Beneficiaries were felicitated with the benefits like KCC, assets distribution (auto-rickshaw with ice box) and cheques were distributed to beneficiaries under PMMSY schemes. Union Minister discussed the concerns and developmental opportunities with the local people representatives. He has also expressed his belief that the PMMSY programme will have a substantial impact on the Indian fisheries sector. He thanked fishermen, fish farmers for sharing their experience and suggesting the mechanisms to augment the fisheries sector development.
Smt Manjulata Mandal, Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnubrata Routray, MLA, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, DoF and other public authorities were also present at Bhadrak, Odisha. The program was a remarkable success, with approx.14,700 people physically attending the event from various places and the program were live streamed on various social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Sagar Parikrama Phase- XI programme reached to its end with a resounding success and leaving a profound impact.
Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-XI started on 7th January 2024 with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders, disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government, highlight the best practices, promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolks and concerned stakeholders has been remarkably successful and covered various coastal districts of Odisha such as Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore till 9th January 2024.
Sagar Parikrama Phase-XI Yatra was led by Shri Parshottam Rupala in the presence of other esteemed public authorities. During the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-XI, Union Minister, Minister of State and other dignitaries interacted with beneficiaries such as fisherwomen group representatives, mechanized and motorized boat owners’ association representatives, aqua farmers, dry fish vendors association representatives, other PMMSY and KCC beneficiaries where, beneficiaries actively participated during the event and shared their challenges &success stories. Beneficiaries like fishermen, fish farmers were felicitated with sanctions/certificate, assets under the schemes like PMMSY and KCC for fishers.
