Fisheries federation demands loan waiver for fishermen

President of Karnataka State Cooperative Fisheries Federation S Madegowda urged the state government to waive off loans of fishermen in state which amounts to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore.

Pointing out that the government had waived Rs 3,500 crore loan of the farmers in last budget, the president in a press meet here on Thursday said, the body has to even look into problems faced by fishermen. “Inland fishermen are also in distress with the severe drought which hit the state and the government has to attend to their problems,” he added.

He mentioned that as many as 11 lakh fishermen will be benefitted if the government comes to their rescue by waiving the loan. Government had given loan of Rs 50 lakh to fishermen through the federation which has now increased to Rs 1.5 crore with interest.  The inland fishing activities is completely different when compared to the coastal one and needs more attention by government, he said.

Madegowda disclosed that the production of inland fishes is not meeting requirements of the state and therefore it is imported from Andhra Pradesh and others states.

Bangalore alone needs nearly 7 lakh kg per day of fishes while Mysore has a requirement of four lakh and the whole state needs 12 lakh kg, and the demand goes up on weekends. “There is  60 per cent scarcity in the production which is filled by the imports,” he said.

Citing about the ‘cage culture’ coming up at Krishna Raja Sagar dam at Srirangapatna, he said, it is being established at an estimated cost of Rs three crore and the units will be extended to other parts of state which is aided by National Fishery Development Funds. Commenting upon price difference in stalls, he said, action has been taken following the complaints and the agents have been strictly instructed to display price chart in all the stalls.

Explaining plans of the department, he said that 10 mobile units in Bangalore and Mysore has been planned. Fibre mechanised boats will be provided to fishermen, in the project which will materialise within another three months along with life jackets, nets and transportation facilities. 

Director of the federation Nissar Ahmed and artist Prakash Chikkapalya were present.