Delhi: Fisheries Minister Palyekar calls on Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh ji. Vinod Palyekar said that State Govt has demanded around 80 Crore for fisheries infrastructure which has been agreed by Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh. Palyekar further said that Union Govt has agreed on the LED Ban and soon an advisory would be out regarding ban on LED Fishing
Below mentioned points were also discussed Union Minister
1: Invitation as Chief Guest for Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival to be held from 7th to 10th December 2017 (tentative).
It is to inform that, State Fisheries Department, Government of Goa organizing the four days Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival from 7th to 10th December 2017.This festival shall be a four days extravaganza inviting participation from different stakeholders of the fishing industry and general public.
In this regard, I heartily invite you as a Chief Guest for the inauguration ceremony of the Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival 2017-18 on 07th December 2017 at 10.00 a.m.
Looking forward to your auspicious presence.
2: Revision of Pattern of Assistance under Blue Revolution Scheme.
As per the sector-wise allocation done for the state of Goa an amount of Rs.7.50 Crore was allocated for the financial year 2017-18 under Blue Revolution. Thereafter, Government of India revised the Pattern of Assistance under Blue Revolution and have made it to 40:60 between the Govt. share and the Beneficiary share. Govt. share is further divided into the ratio of 60:40 between the Central Govt. and the State Government. Thus, the beneficiaries are deprived of the benefit which they would had otherwise got under the old Pattern of Assistance.
Further, it is also to highlight that, the unit cost mentioned in the guidelines is static for all the state in India, but practically the unit cost differ to a great extent in some cases (example for Open Sea Cages), also now the taxation as per the GST rate is to be considered, thus there is huge difference of the unit cost calculations.
It is requested to consider the old Pattern of Assistance for implementation of Blue Revolution Scheme also revise the unit cost of each Project.
Also, it is to state that, implementation of certain projects take more than a year’s time example for Ice Plant, construction landing and berthing etc., so as to enable to clear all the legal formalities and setting and assembling the unit. Thus the extension of time frame should be given for such projects.
3: Infrastructure Development of four fish lending centers i.e. Malim Chapora, Cortalim and Cutbona in the state of Goa
It is to state that the Government of India has approved the proposal of Government of Goa for the expansion of existing four fish landing center namely Malim, Cortalim, Cutbona, and Chapora at an estimated cost of Rs. 8418 Lakhs with 75% Central Financial Assistance amounting to Rs. 6313.50 Lakhs under the component on “Establishment of Fishing Harbour and Fish landing centers Under Centrally sponsored scheme on Development of Marine Fisheries Infrastructure and Post Harbour Operation” vide letter No. 33013-1/2007-Fy(H) dated: 27/02/2014. Further, the Government of India in February 2014 has sanctioned an amount of Rs.4,50,00,000/- as the 1st installment of central Grant-in-Aid to the Government of Goa and the same amount was fully utilized for the Project. However, the Pattern of the Scheme has been revised by the Govt. of India with 50:50 basis from the year 2016-17 due to which there was additional liability on the State Government
It is to also state that the Project cost of the four fish landing center which was submitted to the Ministry in the year 2013 has been revised and increase from 84.18 crore to 160 crore due to change in GSR Rate and revision of the Design and estimate of the project.
It is, therefore, request to the Ministry to consider the Revised estimate of project amounting to Rs 160 crore and sanction a center share of Rs 80 crore and also to grant additional time for 20 months for the completion of the Project.
4: Strengthening of Database and Geographical Information for the Fisheries Sector.
The Directorate of Fisheries, Goa is implementing the scheme “Strengthening of Database and Geographical Information System for the Fisheries Sector” in order to conduct the catch assessment survey on Marine/Inland Fisheries for computing the estimates of Marine/Inland Fish Landing Species in various landing centers of Goan Waters.
Source of Funding
The said scheme “Strengthening of Database and Geographical Information System for the Fisheries Sector” is a 100% Central Grant Scheme. The staff sanctioned strength under the scheme is as under:
Sr. No. Designation of Posts No. of Posts
1. Dy. Director 01
2. Statistical Assistant 02
3. Technical Assistant/Computer 01
4. Data Enumerators 06
Funds Required
The funds required to meet the expenditure of salaries of the staff working under the scheme for the year 2017-18 is Rs.35.00 lakh. The Department has not received any funds for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18.
It is therefore requested to kindly release the fund under the above Scheme at the earliest.
5: Assistance for Floating Jetty for fishing Industry
It is to state that the State Government has proposed to construct floating jetty (concrete) at Malim, Chapora, and another landing centre. The approximate cost of 30 mts length of Jetty is Rs 5 crore and the Department is proposed to construct 4 jetties of 30 mts each with app cost of Rs 20 crore. It is, therefore, propose that Ministry may approve the project in principle so that Detail DPR shall move to the Ministry for approval.
6.LED Fishing in EEZ.
The State Government under the Goa Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 (Act No.3 of 1981) vide notification dated 10/05/2016, has already prohibited 1.Fishing in the specified area by a bull or pair trawling. 2.Use or installation of the fishing gears such as LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without a generator, on a mechanized fishing vessel or motorized fishing craft, for trawling, purse-seining or gill netting within the territorial water of the state of Goa.
It is therefore proposed that Central Government may like to prohibits the LED Light fishing beyond the territorial water of coastal state i.e. in EEZ of India and also take the initiative to direct all the Maritime State to prohibits the LED Light fishing in their respective territorial water as per the recommendation of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
