Govt to take up expansion of Malpe port: Minister

DHNS

• Govt to take up expansion of Malpe port: Minister

Udupi, 11 April 2010: Fisheries and Information Technology Minister Anand Vasanth Asnotikar said that the State Government has decided to take up the proposal of the third phase of expansion of Malpe fisheries port at an estimated cost of Rs 53 crore.

Speaking after distributing revolving fund cheques to the beneficiaries of fisheries women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under Matsya Mahila Swavalambana Yojane at a programme organised by Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Co-operative Fish Marketing Federation (DKUCFMF) at Malpe here on Saturday, he said administrative approval has already been given to the proposal and the foundation stone will be laid by the Chief Minister within three months.

Asnotikar informed that the State government is keen to develop all fisheries ports in the State by seeking the assistance from the Centre. The DKUCFMF which was incurring loss has not only made up its loss with the financial assistance provided by the state government, but also earned a net profit of about Rs 1 crore in the last year while, the KFDC has also earned a profit of about Rs 90 lakh, he added.

He said that the government is planning to set up 500 modern fish canteens for marketing fish in various parts of the State except for the coastal region, where there was opposition from local fishermen for the proposal, he added.

Earlier, inaugurating the programme, Transport Minister R Ashok said the government which was committed to work for the welfare of the fishermen, has taken up several welfare measures including dredging of the ports, subsidy for kerosene, and construction of more houses under Matsyashraya scheme. The recent outcome of the BBMP polls indicates the public support to the development activities taken by the government. The leaders in BJP and government without indulging in criticising the opposition have taken up development works, he added.

Coastal Development Authority Chairman B Nagaraj Shetty, Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary and others were present.