Govt cites subsidies and cold storage plans
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar speaking in the house on Thursday.
MAPUSA
The Opposition on Thursday criticised the Goa government in the Legislative Assembly over the sharp rise in fish prices, warning that the State’s staple meal of fish curry and rice is slowly moving beyond the reach of common people. The criticism came even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged the youth to consider fishing as a promising career.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Vijai Sardesai said the prices of popular fish such as mackerel, sardines, kingfish, pomfret and prawns have risen by nearly 25 per cent over the last eight years, putting pressure on ordinary consumers.
Sardesai said fish, once a basic part of the Goan diet, was slowly becoming unaffordable. “Fish curry and rice, the staple food of Goans, now seems to be turning into a luxury meant only for the wealthy,” he said, adding that fish had become a “VIP of the Arabian Sea.”
The Goa Forward MLA also raised concerns about the future availability of fish and asked what steps the government was taking to stabilise prices and ensure steady supply. He stressed the need to improve fisheries infrastructure by creating more cold storage facilities and promoting modern deep-sea fishing vessels.
Replying to the issue, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar told the House that a cold storage facility has been set up at the SGPDA Market Complex but is yet to start operations due to pending administrative permissions. He said cold storage units are currently functioning at Malim Jetty and Cutbona Jetty.
Halarnkar added that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the government provides subsidies of 40 to 50 per cent for setting up cold storage infrastructure. He also informed the House that permissions have been granted to 21 individuals in the State for deep-sea fishing operations.
Intervening in the discussion, Sawant said the government is keen to strengthen traditional occupations, including fishing, and encouraged Goan youth to explore opportunities in the sector.
“There is tremendous scope in the fisheries sector. Young people should come forward, take advantage of the schemes available and build their careers in this field,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government will continue to support traditional fishermen while expanding opportunities in the sector.
