CHENNAI: Minister for fisheries, fishermen welfare and animal husbandry, Anitha R Radhakrishnan on Saturday said in the assembly that the government would construct 31 new fish landing centres across the coastal districts at a cost of Rs 359 crore. Of these,11 fish landing centres would come up in Tuticorin district at Rs 109 crore cost, he said. Radhakrishnan hails from Tuticorin district.
Fish landing centres would be constructed in Cuddalore (6), Chengalpet (7), Kanyakumari (3) Mayiladuthurai (2), Thanjavur (1) and Villupuram (1) districts, the minister said while replying to debate on demands for grants for his department.
To prevent sea erosion in Puthenthurai village in Kanyakumari district, the department would construct a wall spending Rs22 crore, he said. He added that an integrated fisheries college-cum-research centre would be established in Tuticorin spending Rs3.2 crore to offer training to fishermen to improve their skill sets and enhance their revenue.
He said the fishing harbour in Tuticorin would be desilted and deepened at Rs5 crore. “Protecting the welfare and traditional fishing rights of the fishermen is the top priority of this government. It is also the intention of the government to get the national commission for fishermen welfare for safeguarding the welfare of marine and inland fishermen,” said the minister.
The government would establish an advanced multispeciality hospital and research centre for pets at Nandanam at Rs7.99 crore. It would also document the native breed dogs, the minister said. The government would encourage
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University to undertake research for the betterment of livestock, poultry and food sector in the state.
Kolathur to get ornamental fish trade centreThe government would establish an international standard ornamental fish trade centre at Kolathur in Chennai at Rs50 crore cost, minister for fisheries-fishermen welfare and animal husbandry Anitha R Radhakrishnan told the state assembly on Saturday. The trade centre would be established with contribution from government and private players. He said ornamental fish markets in Kolathur were flourishing and that nearly 2,000 families depend on it for livelihood. The upcoming facility would further extend support to traders on a large scale with export and logistics, he said. TNN