Central government ready to sanction seaweed parks to AP: Fisheries MoS

KAKINADA: Union minister of state for fisheries Dr. L. Murugan declared that central government is ready to sanction seaweed parks to all states if they send proposals seeking them.

He made the assurance after participating in several programmes as part of Azaadi Ka Amruth Utsav on Tuesday.

Murugan pointed out that the seaweed sector is speedily growing in the country and worldwide. It has great potential and Tamil Nadu has already established seaweed parks to boost the income of fishermen. Other coastal states like Andhra Pradesh could also apply for it.

The union minister advised fishermen to take up production of seaweed, as conventional fishing alone will not bring about a change in their living standards.

Murugan pointed out that since Independence and till 2014, fisheries fetched only ₹4,000 crore. But after Narendra Modi assumed charge as Prime Minister, the revenue of fishing sector has reached ₹32,600 crores.

The union minister laid the foundation stone for renovating the Krishnam Raju Chervuvu at Chebrolu village in Gollaprolu mandal under MGNREGS and inaugurated a blood donation camp at Rangaraya Medical College in Kakinada jointly organised with Indian Red Cross Society.

Participating in a BJP workers meeting at Kakinada, Murugan said development programmes undertaken by the union government under the leadership of Modi will benefit millions of people all over the country.

He complimented Kakinada district collector Kritika Sukla for implementing welfare programmes in an efficient manner.

Meanwhile Kakinada MP Vanga Gita requested the union minister to set up the National Fisheries Development Board Office in Kakinada.