Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: The Directorate of Fisheries on Monday rolled out a series of schemes and infrastructure projects for the fishing community during Seva Pakwada celebrations held at Ravindra Bhavan ,Baina . Subsidies, sanction letters, equipment, and future development works were handed over to beneficiaries in the presence of Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar.
The programme saw the release of subsidies under the Financial Assistance for Purchase of Fuel (Petrol) for Operation of Outboard Motor scheme, the launch of the Online Fishermen Portal, the virtual laying of the foundation stone for a Sulabh Souchalaya at Kharewado fishing jetty, and the announcement of 300 solar street lights for the Desterro–Baina beach stretch. Forty fishermen received sanction letters for various schemes including financial aid for gill nets, insulated boxes, vessel registration, insulated vehicles, and fuel purchase assistance, while safety gear such as transponders, life jackets, and life buoys were also distributed. Fishermen engaged in collecting discarded nets were specially felicitated.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar underlined that the Seva Pakwada initiative was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday celebrations. “This is not specific to any political party but is for the benefit of the general public under the vision of Vikasit Bharat, where every department reaches out to the people and addresses their issues,” he said.
Speaking on the long-pending demands of the fishing community, Halarnkar noted the hurdles faced in taking up major works at the Kharewado fishing jetty. “The jetty is under the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Port Authority and any work requires their NOC. We also face a very short working window since we only get two months during the monsoon fishing ban period to execute projects. For the rest of the year, fishing activity continues, which makes it impossible to take up heavy works. Even during the ban, the tendering process, approvals and sanctions consume time, and the government cannot spend a single rupee without following due procedure. Despite this, we are already spending ₹44 lakh every year on repairs and maintenance of the jetty. Now, we have obtained approvals for the extension and for a floating jetty, and both works will be implemented,” Halarnkar assured.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar expressed gratitude to the state government for extending schemes and facilities to fishermen. “I thank the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar for reaching out to the fishing community with these schemes. The project for 300 solar street lights from Desterro to Baina has been launched, and a net-bending shed and landing ramps have also been sanctioned. The biggest problem faced by fishermen for years was parking their canoes at faraway locations. That project has now been taken up by the WRD, the tender has already gone for financial and administrative approval, and will soon be finalised. Once cleared, this will give maximum benefit to fishermen. Step by step, we are addressing every long-pending demand of the fishing community,” Amonkar said.
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar emphasised the department’s efforts in providing equipment and infrastructure support. “The fisheries department has already provided many fishermen with transponders, insulated boxes and other equipment. Today, we also saw the sanction of a Sulabh Souchalaya at Kharewado jetty, a project worth ₹77 lakh. We have always demanded a floating jetty for traditional fishermen, and the minister has assured us that this project will begin within the next three months. These initiatives will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of our fishing community,” said Salkar.
