Rs 400 Cr investment in Goa to make it 'fisheries hub'
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New Delhi, Feb 9: Amid the coronavirus pandemic crisis, the Union Fisheries Minister Giriraj Singh announced that an investment of Rs 400 crore will be made in Goa to make the coastal state a fisheries hub of India.
Talking to reporters at the Raj Bhavan in the Dona Paula area near here, Singh said Goa has the potential for the highest fish production in the country. Goa also has the capacity to become a "fisheries hub" in the country, he said.
"The Centre has already considered Rs 400 crore investment in the fisheries sector of Goa, which would be jointly raised by the Union government, the state fisheries board and others," he added.
The amount of the investment would jointly be raised by the government and the state fisheries board. Moreover, Rs 41.47 crore has already been sanctioned by the government to the state. The amount will be used to revive the fisheries industry and it will also ensure safe fishing.
As per the plan, 30 fish landing jetties will be created in order for the fishermen to anchor their boats near their villages. The jetties would also be linked to the mainstream by constructing roads. Besides, Goa has nine landing jetties already that are used for fishing and tourism purposes.
Further, the central government will also be appointing "Sagar Mitra" for all the 70 fishing villages in Goa. It would help fishermen to communicate with the government.
This fisheries industry in India employs 145 million people. The country ranks second in aquaculture while it is ranked third in the fisheries production and the fisheries sector amounts to 1.07% of the total GDP of India.