“The State government will give subsidies for fishermen who use kerosene motor boats to upgrade to petrol-run motor boats”, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Speaking after inaugurating Jan Sankalp Yatra on Monday, November 7, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the demand of the fishermen for allotment of more kerosene quota will be discussed with the Government of India. The boiled rice grown by farmers of the coastal region will be purchased and distributed through the Public Distribution System.
Money has been earmarked in the State budget for the year 2022-23 for the development of eight fishing ports for fishing activities. In the current year, 100 high-speed boats will be distributed of which 40 per cent will be subsidized. Depending upon the response from the fishermen the number of high-speed boats will be increased. Measures have been taken for the development of Mangaluru and Karwar ports. The government is committed to the all-round development of coastal districts.
He further said, “Under the leadership of ‘World Leader’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s GDP has been 7 percent at a time when other nations were facing recession post-Covid-pandemic. The Central Government under the ‘Sagar Mala’ scheme has given Rs 1774 crore towards the development of ports in the coastal area. Besides, the Government of India has given relaxation from the Coastal Regulation Zone norms for the development of coastal areas in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. This will ensure the development of coastal regions such as employment, economy and more trade.
Rs 2 lakh crore investment in coastal districts
Bommai said in the next five years, there will be an investment of Rs 2 lakh crore in renewable energy in coastal districts. The PM will flag off the Vande Bharat high-speed train service between Chennai & Mysuru via Bengaluru on November 11. The electrification of the Konkan railway line will provide connectivity to North India. The ‘Gati Shakti’ scheme is being taken up to provide connectivity between Mangaluru and Karwar with other ports of the country.