Asnotikar speaks for families of iron-ore workers

KARWAR: Anand Asnotikar, fisheries, science and technology minister, said his stand on iron ore export from Karwar port was different from that of the chief minister.
Addressing press persons at Karwar on Monday, Asnotikar said that Karnataka high court has given permission to transport the iron ore with certain conditions. He said he would meet the chief minister soon to convince him to restart the iron ore export from Karwar port."More than 5000 families are depending on the iron ore export in Karwar port and it should be restarted for the development of the region," he said.
But he demanded that sand transport be banned to the neighbouring state of Goa and that the sand business is in control of four persons in Karwar. He said the policy of the government could not be changed just for them. He said that the lease given to these people should be cancelled. The leased area should be distributed among the other poor people, he said. "Presently, sand extraction is being carried out illegally by some people in Kali river," he said. On the threat issued by the sand extractors and the transporters association, Asnotikar warned that anybody trying to take the law into their own hands would be severely dealt with.
Agriculture, horticulture and fisheries departments of Karwar, veterinary and animal husbandry and fisheries university of Bidar and national fish development corporation, Hyderabad will jointly organize an agriculture festival, flower exhibition and fish mela in Karwar from October 9 to 11.
He said that Karwar taluk panchayat will sponsor the programme. "Karwar taluk has more than 2500 acres of agriculture land which has been rendered useless. Other taluks in Uttara Kannada district too have the same problem. To create awareness among the farmers and fishermen, the exhibition and meals are being arranged in Karwar," he said. Scientists and experts from the fields of agriculture, horticulture and fisheries will hold discussions with the farmers directly. Information about ornamental fishes will be given, he added.
Senior officers and members of taluk panchayat were present.