The State Government was planning to extend accident insurance facility of Rs 5 lakh to fishermen community in Telangana. For this it is planned to bring out a GO besides taking all measures for their empowerment by giving rights on all lakes and tanks to tap the resources to eke out their livelihood.
This was stated by Finance Minister Etala Rajender at a program held at Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium to mark to World Fisheries Day here attended by Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav. He took a dig at the previous governments for considering only coastal districts for fisheries development and ignoring the fishermen in Telangana region. He vowed that the government will encourage the fishermen to double their income through the lakes. The fishermen should use the income they get only for education and housing facility instead of constructing temples which will be done by the government. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is focusing on to empower financially the fishermen by giving them complete rights on the lakes and water bodies which are freely distributed with fish seed Rajender stated.
He maintained the step is not for appeasing anyone or for votes and the ultimate aim is to ensure that the fishermen community should be empowered financially. The flagship program of Mission Kakatiya is advantageous for the fishermen as the lakes, ponds and waters bodies are abundant with water resources. The Government has let off fish seed into these water bodies to increase fish cultivation he said adding that it is just beginning and much has to do for the backward fisheries community. KCR Government is giving top priority for the welfare of the fishermen community in the state. Fishermen can make use of the lakes dug up for Pranahitha and Chevella projects. He claimed that the TRS Government took steps for fishermen federation and membership and welfare steps. The fishermen can make use of abundant natural resources in Telangana to flourish in future he appealed. (NSS)