THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
In a first of its kind project in the State, an Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Village will be set up at Saleri in Khola-Canacona which falls in Quepem constituency.
The Rs 10.76 crore project, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsaya Sampada Yojana, will be equipped with solar fish dryers, compact ice-making machines, mini-vaccum packing machine for fish, micro seafood value addition processing unit and a community hall.
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Friday laid the foundation stone for the project in the presence of Canacona Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, former Dy CM and Kala Academy Chairman Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Halarnkar said the fisheries department’s first of its kind project in the State will support the fishermen of Saleri-Khola to improve their livelihoods by improving infrastructure and help improve the quality and quantity of catch adding to community prosperity.
“Though the project is on a 60:40 Centre-State share funding, the State is utilising about Rs 6 crore against Rs 4.75 cr central fund, which is 60% of originally sanctioned Rs 8 crore project,” said Halarnkar.
“The project was later reviewed with an estimate of Rs 10.76 crore, which Central authorities did not accept. However, our chief minister agreed to allott additional funds and it virtually became a 40:60 (Centre-State share funding) instead of 60:40, and the project will be completed in a year time.”
Under the project, the facilities will include installation of floating pontoons, gangway arrangement to connect floating pontons, ramp upgradation, repair of existing ramp, repair of net mending shed, construction of community hall (G+1), compact ice-making machines, solar dryers of 20 kg and 40kg, mini-vaccum packing machine for fish, micro seafood value addition processing unit.
Lauding the government for gifting a project to the fishing community of Saleri-Khola in his constituency, Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa said, “Traditional fishermen are the brand ambassadors of Goa. Many people visit the State because of availability of fish and its different delicacies to savour. I also expect the government to come up with a solution for women selling fish, who are presently seated by the roadside, endangering themselves and customers.”
Ex-dy CM and Kala Academy Chairman Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, a former MLA of Quepem constituency, thanked the government for approving project demanded by village panchayat, and said it would help improve the livelihoods of fishermen residing in 230 households.
Earlier, Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro explained the scope of the work and informed a fisheries officer will be posted in the village to attend to fishermen needs, once the project is completed.
Others present included Secretary (Fisheries) Prasanna Acharya, Dy Director (Fisheries) Chandrakant Velip, ZP (Khola) Sumitra Pagi, Sarpanch Tejal Pagi, Rukmai Devasthan president Sunil Pagi, All Goa Kshetriya Pagi Samaj President Rudresh Namshikar, panch members Kruspesh Velip, Pandhari Prabhudesai, Ajay Pagi, and others.
