Centre has not given a single paisa for Kodagu disaster affected: Minister UT Khader
'Pratap Simha lacks information'
Mangaluru, Dec 9: "The central government has not given a single paisa for the rehabilitation of affected people in Kodagu natural disasters. Without knowing proper information, MP Pratap Simha has given statements just for publicity. If the centre has given the funds, let him give statistics", challenged Urban Development and Housing Minister UT Khader.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the Minister said that when the natural disaster struck Kodagu district, it was state government which invested Rs 9.40 crore to construct houses for those who lost houses and became a model to the country. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has just sent an order saying that it would give Rs 546.21 crore for Kodagu rehabilitation work. But the centre has not yet released a single rupee for the purpose. NDRF funds would be equally distributed to 8 districts including Kodagu where natural disaster struck them. It was not just limited to the state. It was a routine process that NDRF would sanction funds to all states for that purpose. If Rs 546.21 crore was distributed equally for all eight districts, each district would get Rs 60 crore which will not suffice to develop just Sampaje road. Kodagu district was declared natural disaster hit district. But the Center has not declared a special package for Kodagu district, he said.
On humanitarian ground, both Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar released funds. When the houses were collapsed, the state government has given Rs 1 lakh and additional Rs 50,000 compensation against the norms. When there was a problem in North Karnataka during BJP administration, the affected people had to live in sheds for more than six months. But the coalition government has been giving house rent for the families which lost houses. Instead of single bed-room houses, the government has made available double bed-room houses, he said.
If the Lok Sabha Member has concerns and responsibility towards Kodagu people, he should have spoken in the Parliament and asked special package. Instead of speaking about such development works, he has spoken against the Chief Minister for publicity, he said.
Single window system to avoid middlemen
Implementing single window system would avoid the harassment and middlemen menace. The government would officially inaugurate single window system on December 15. Earlier, getting approval for house construction, layout planning and other works would have taken several months. In coming days, such works would be completed within a month and it was a model project to the entire country, he claimed.
People were facing lot of problems. Applications of some people were being rejected despite submitting all records and applications of some others were being accepted even though there were no proper records. In future, such complications would not happen. Officers of all concerned departments would attend the spot inspection and they would upload all information on the spot. All officials would get prior information on spot inspection date, time and details about the place to their mobile phones. This would ensure transparent administration as everything would be digitalized, he said.
Toll-free number for sand distribution
Sand distribution process started in the district since 15 days. If the people called over a temporary number, they would be supplied sand. In coming days, a toll-free number would be started to avoid middlemen. The Sand Distribution Monitoring Committee would fix the price on this new system. The City Corporation would collect sand from Thumbe vented dam and supply it to the people, the minister said.
Self licencing system
For getting NOC to construct 30x40 houses, it would take long time in the existing system. But in coming days, the beneficiaries could get the self licence just by uploading all the documents to the website. If the system was successful in the district, it would be extended to the entire state in future, Khader said.
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Lakshadweep hosts first-ever investors' meet to unlock fisheries, aquaculture potential
Kavaratti (PTI): The Centre, in collaboration with the Lakshadweep administration, has organised a first-of-its-kind investors' meet in the union territory to boost the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The meet on "Investment Opportunities in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Lakshadweep Islands" was organised at Bangaram Island on Saturday.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Government of India joined hands with the Lakshadweep administration to organise the event, according to an official statement.
"This was a first-of-its-kind investors' meet in the Island, wherein various Investors from across the country participated. So far, investments to the tune of approximately Rs 519 crore have been envisaged," the statement said.
The event was attended by union ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh, S P Singh Baghel and George Kurian, along with Praful Patel, the Administrator of Lakshadweep.
An interactive session was held as part of the meet to provide investors with a platform to share experiences and highlight challenges.
They outlined several issues, including transportation of the production to the mainland, cold storage requirements, ice plants, and development of chilled fish handling centres for post-harvest management.
The Investors called for value-added facilities for sashimi-grade tuna, fish oil refining capacities, the requirement of skilled labour, and ornamental fish brood banks for the strategic utilisation of Lakshadweep's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC) to drive sustainable growth.
In his keynote address, Ranjan Singh said that the Centre issued fishing rules for the EEZ and hence, the fishermen operating there can now legally fish with an authorised "access pass," enabling them to export high-value tuna and other fish products to international markets.
As per international law, fishery resources present in India's EEZ will now be recognised as "Indian origin," which would further facilitate the export of fish products, he added.
The minister further said that the Centre issued the 'High Seas Fishing Guidelines' granting fishing vessels flying the Indian flag the legal right to operate in these waters, it said. He also urged investors to come forward and seize the vast investment opportunities in the sector.
Baghel, in his address, highlighted Lakshadweep's untapped fisheries potential and called for the need to bridge the gap between the archipelago's current production of 14,000 tonnes and its potential of 1 lakh tonnes.
He emphasised that the islands are naturally suited for premium-quality tuna fishing using pole-and-line and handline methods are globally recognised for their clean and sustainable practices. With proper branding, certification, and modern value-chain development, Lakshadweep tuna can access high-end international markets.
He urged exporters to explore newer markets and leverage existing government welfare schemes to strengthen the fisheries value chain.
Minister Kurian focused on emerging investment domains such as seaweed farming and ornamental fisheries, which offer high returns and diversification opportunities.
He emphasised that India must harness its vast EEZ to boost production, strengthen deep-sea fishing, and create value-added seafood products, driving the blue economy forward.
Administrator Patel affirmed the collective commitment to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of leading the blue revolution and urged stakeholders to share sector-wise and policy-related suggestions to help frame Lakshadweep's first fishing policy.
Highlighting upcoming initiatives such as the Minicoy airport development and cooperative society strengthening, Patel assured full support to the investors, with plans for a follow-up meeting in Delhi to accelerate progress.
The investors' meet brought together 22 key investors from various parts of the country. Over 200 participants joined in hybrid mode, the statement said.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Department of Fisheries of the Centre and the UT along with local fishermen societies, the statement added.
