Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: The state government will provide pucca houses to all the fishermen in the state, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday.
While launching the online sale of Chilika Fresh fish, Patnaik said the fisheries and animal resources development (F&ARD) department is taking steps to set up 26 additional Chilika Fresh outlets through public-private partnership.
“The welfare of fishermen, including their safety, is a top concern for the government. Our state plan scheme “Empowering Fishermen through Mobile Advisory Services” has been awarded at the national level in Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. All the fishermen in the state are covered under insurance scheme. The government is providing subsidised rice to fishermen’s families affected by the ban on fishing for protection of Olive Ridley turtles. Alternative livelihood support is being provided to the self-help groups covering 50,000 fishermen’s families in the Olive Ridley turtle protected areas,” said Patnaik while speaking at a workshop on ‘Fisheries Development in Orissa: Status, Prospects and Options’ organised by F&ARD at Soochana Bhawan here
The CM also said that the state government Thursday started giving appointment orders to 124 assistant fisheries officers recruited by OPSC. “I congratulate them and expect they will contribute to the fisheries development by working sincerely and honestly throughout their career,” he said.
“The fisheries sector has done very well during 2014-15, which saw a growth in fish production by 13 per cent and seafood export by 27 per cent. The state government has targeted to double the fish production and achieve an export figure of `10,000 crore by 2020,” said Patnaik.
“We have introduced a new programme to subsidise fish seed cost for promotion of aquaculture. Modern outlets are being planned on the lines of Chilika Fresh outlets to provide hygienic fish to people,” said Patnaik.
Orissa is the first state in the country to adopt a Comprehensive Fishery Policy for the holistic development of inland, brackish water and marine fishery, said the CM.