Udupi: The distribution programme of various government schemes to the fishermen community was held at the Taluk Panchayat Auditorium here on Saturday, September 26.
The programme began with the Nadageethe. Joint director of Fisheries Department, Parshwanath welcomed the gathering.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, district minister in-charge and state urban development minister, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp and handing over cheques under various schemes to fishermen.
In his message, Vinay Kumar Sorake said that the state government was committed for the development of the fishermen community. Families of fishermen who lose their lives while fishing will receive Rs 2 lakh as compensation. Special attention has been given to the development of the fisheries roads. The quantity of subsidy diesel has been raised. The Matsyashraya scheme is providing financial assistance to fishermen to construct houses, the amount has been raised from Rs 75,000 to 1.25 lakh. The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Centre is also being planned in the district with the central and state governments sharing the cost at a 75:25 ratio.
“The major power industry of the district, Udupi Power Corporation Ltd. (UPCL), has failed to solve the problems of the local fishermen. When B S Yeddyurappa was the Chief Minister, the state government had negotiated a compensation package for fishermen. There were complaints from fishermen that it had not been properly distributed. UPCL should solve those complaints before the question of expansion of capacity of the thermal plants can be discussed. They should fully invest their funds under Corporate Social Responsibility for the welfare of the people in Yellur and its surrounding regions,” he said.
Udupi Taluk Panchayat president, Sunitha Naik presided over the function. CMC president Yuvraj, Udupi Urban Development Authority chairman Janardhan Thonse, ZP agriculture and industries standing committee president Arun Kumar Shetty Padoor, Ganapathi Bhat, MD Prasad and others were present.