Port Blair, Aug 18: Shri S.U. Maheswar Rao, Governing Body Member of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) – Hyderabad, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Representative from A&N Islands has proceeded at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi to attend the 9th Annual Meeting of Governing Body of NFDB on 18.08.2022 chaired by Union Minister of Fisheries & Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri. Purushotham Rupala, Minister of State Fisheries & Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri. Dr.L Murugan, Minister of state Fisheries & Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Balyan all concerned Ministries of each State and Secretaries and Non-Official members of Governing Body of NFBD wherein discussion on several developmental working projects were held.

Shri S.U. Maheswar Rao has submitted his memorandum on the following major issues of Fishermen of these A&N Islands in the interactive session GB Members before the NFDB for their consideration, which will be very much beneficial for the local fishermen of these Islands resulting in upliftment & socio-economic development. 

- Ice plant & Cold storage capacity of 5-10 ton each should be installed at all 17 fish landing centers in A&N Islands.

- Re-launch of the scheme “Fishermen Modern village” in these Islands under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

- Opening up of Fisheries Training Institute for traditional fisherman in A&N Islands in coordination with ICAR, ICSSR, FSI, NFDB & CIFNET.

- Nutritional and livelihood support for fishers during lean period and also during cyclone.

- Requested for BPL survey for fisherman community in A&N Islands for getting the benefits of all BPL schemes of Government of India.

- Requested to setup permanent office of MPEDA & EIC in A&N Islands for fish export.

- Subsidy for logistics sector for fish exporting from A&N Islands.

- Construction of Modern Fish Market at Bathu Basti with all facilities for wholesale and retail marketing.

- Construction of 20 Nos. of Fish Vending Kiosks in the first phase at various location of Municipal area for the women beneficiaries.

- Construction of Jetty for Fishermen at Dugnabad Area.

- Inclusion of Fishermen Community of these Andaman & Nicobar Islands under OBC Category.

- Issuance of Permit to the South Andaman Fishermen for carrying fishing activities in North & Middle Andaman by passing through Baratang creek (nallah).

- Construction of Traditional Bonga Dounge under UT Plan Scheme instead of model Wooden FRP Craft approved by Director of Fisheries.

- Sanction of Working Capital Loan to the Fisheries Cooperatives Societies, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

- To undertake One District One product program in aqua culture farming in North & Middle Andaman.