The Tamil Nadu government has allocated a sum of ₹360 crore to boost various fisheries infrastructure in the State. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also assured action over representations made by representatives of various fishermen association when they called on him in the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday.
The allocation of funds would be utilised for projects that include upgrading the fishing landing centre at Thangachimadam into a fishing harbour, improving Kunthukal fish landing centre with a bait arch and setting up a bait arch in Pamban North fishing hamlet, an official release said. Representatives of various fishermen associations requested the CM for steps towards a “durable solution” over the recurring incidents of arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and confiscation of their fishing boats.
The CM recalled the steps being taken by the Tamil Nadu government over the arrest of fishermen and underlined the letters sent to the Union government pressing for taking up the issue with the Sri Lankan government. Minister for Fisheries and MPs from Tamil Nadu had met the Union Minister for External Affairs over the issue and reiterated TN’s position, he said.
Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Anitha R. Radhakrishnan; Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi and Ramanathapuram MP K. Navaskani; legislator Katharbatcha Muthuramalingam; Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials were present on the occasion.