Goa Fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar today held meeting with the officials to work out modalities to provide subsidized fish to the local population.
“Fish, curry, rice is a basic diet of the local population here. Our election manifesto has clearly mentioned that the fish would be subsidized. We are fulfilling the promise now,” Palyekar told reporters addressing a press conference, post meeting with the department officials.
Palyekar, who represents Goa Forward Party, said that he along with his party leader Vijai Sardesai would soon meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking his guidance on how to go ahead with the subsidizing of fish.
“There was an idea that came up was to set up fish stalls alongside the vegetable kiosks managed by Goa Horticulture Corporation Limited (GHCL). But there are some section of people who are pure vegetarian and would mind having fish sold near the vegetable stall,” the minister said.
State government has decided to constitute Goa Fisheries Corporation Limited which will regulate the sale of subsidized fish. “The corporation will take the call on where to set up the stalls and how subsidised fish could be provided across the counter to the common man,” he added.
The minister said that the State would strictly impose the ban on fishing during the monsoon period, which is an annual affair for the coastal state. “The ban on fishing would be imposed between June 01 to July 31. During that period there will be strict imposition of the rules, no trawlers would be allowed to venture in the Sea,” he said.
Palyekar said State government has also made it mandatory for the trawlers to install GPS tracking chip in the vessel. “This is for the sake of security of the fishermen,” he said.
The department will also strictly impose uni-colour coding for the trawlers, wherein all the vessels will have similar colour, helping the law enforcement agencies in the Sea, he said.
The minister also said that 35 trawlers would be allowed to replaced every year with the new vessel on first-cum-first-serve basis
Team TNV
