KFDC offers low interest loan facility for fishermen

 The Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) will provide loan facility upto Rs one lakh at low rate of interest in association with Indian Overseas Bank, said Chairman Ramachandra Baikampady.

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, he said the fisherwomen in Kendra Maidan are in distress owing to the loan borrowed from private persons. “To make them free from loan, KFDC will provide loan at low interest. The Kendra market has 153 licensed fisherwomen who sell dry fish. We have made arrangement for the loan facility for 50 fisherwomen of Kendra Maidan at the rate of 4 per cent interest,” he added. The loan of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 will have interest rate of 9 per cent. The facility will be extended to all the fisherwomen in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi from the month of June.

Upgradation of markets

Baikampady said under National Fisheries Development Corporation’s scheme, fish markets will be set up by providing all the basic facilities in all the Town Panchayat limits till Uppunda at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh. KFDC has already communicated with the Town Panchayats, who in turn have responded positively. Town Panchayats have to identify the land and KFDC will provide market with basic facilities for the fishermen to sell fish. Each Town Panchayats will be given Rs 10 lakh to construct fish market. The fish market will have all the facilities. Fish markets will come up at Padubidri, Hejamady, Katpady, Baindur, Gangolli, Ankola.

AC outlets

He said the air conditioned retail fish outlet by KFDC will be soon inaugurated at Shimoga, Tumkur and Theerthahalli. The outlet at Puttur, Sullia and Bantwal is in construction stage. The state government had released Rs 20 crore for the fish outlets.
“By March 2011, KFDC has to set up 50 such AC outlets across the state, so that the people from other areas too get fresh sea fish.”

Stating that KFDC will not launch air conditioned retail fish outlets in coastal areas, he said some vested interests had deliberately tried to create hurdles in the way of functioning of KFDC by spreading malicious rumours on its air conditioned outlets.

However, AC outlets have been appreciated by all. “The same vested interests did not make hue and cry when malls started selling fish. This clearly shows their hidden agenda.”

The KFDC fish meal canteen at Cubbon Park in Bangalore is being renovated and will be ready for inauguration by June, Baikampady informed.

Ice plants

He said under Rashtriya Krishi Vikasa Yojane, KFDC has received a grant of Rs 25 crore from the government. With the fund, ice plants were be set up at Mangalore, Malpe last year. An additional 30 tonne ice plant is getting ready in Mangalore and Malpe. The ice plant set up under Yojane is ready for the inauguration at Honnavar. The ice plant at Tadadi is being rejuvenated.

New projects

Stating that for the export of fish to the international market, Mangalore should have free processing unit, he said the unit is in its final stage of construction. With the unit, 200 fisherwomen will get permanent employment.

The facility for packaging of fish will also be provided in the unit. The unit will be inaugurated by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in June.

Mangalore will also get a state-of-the-art fish processing unit at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore at Hoige Bazar.

The foundation stone for the unit will be set up by Chief Minister.