CM Kumaraswamy lays foundation stone for building houses
Rehabilitation for Kodagu distressed people
Targets to construct 55 houses per month
#840 families to get houses
#Rs 9.85 lakh for each house
Madikeri, December 7: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar laid foundation stone for constructing houses to rehabilitate the affected people in Kodagu natural disaster, at Jambur village in Somwarpet taluk in the district on Friday.
The district administration has organized the foundation laying programme at Jambur village. After laying the foundation, CM Kumaraswamy said that “There were plenty of expectations from the people. But though it was not possible to fulfill all the expectations, the government has honestly responded to the problem.
The Chief Minister’s Fund has Rs 202.23 crore including Rs 100 crore from State Government Employees Association and this amount would be spent for the rehabilitation work. In order to help the affected people, people of the state have responded and cooperated in their own way, he said while thanking all of them.
Keeping aside the NDRF and SDRF norms, the government has given compensation up to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 for those who lost household things.
In order to construct model houses for the first time in the country, the government has decided to spend Rs 10 lakh for each house, he said.
Out of Rs 546 crore given by the central government, the state government has disbursed the amount to 8 districts including Kodagu which were affected in the natural disaster. As declared earlier, the government has established Kodagu Reconstruction Authority. In the beginning, it was announced to give Rs 100 crore. So, the government has released Rs 85 crore for various departments to take up the relief works, he said.
The government has already waived off loans up to Rs 2 lakh from nationalized banks and Rs 1 lakh in cooperative banks. But the farmers should not dishearten for any problems, he appealed.
The government employees have appealed to cancel the new pension scheme and reintroduce the old pension scheme. He would respect their demand. A committee would be constituted to look into the pros and cons of this demand and placed before the Cabinet to take a decision, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar said that the government would give all support for the development of Kodagu. There was no need to worry about it. Already, the government has constituted Kodagu Reconstruction Authority for the development and the centre has to release more funds, he added.
Housing Minister UT Khader said that the government was always ready to wipe the tears of Kodagu people. With a good intention of constructing good houses, the government was spending Rs 9.85 lakh for each house and it was targeted to construct 55 houses in one month, he added.
District Minister S.R. Mahesh said that the government has taken all steps for reconstruction of Kodagu district.
Lok Sabha Member Pratap Simha said that Rs 546 crore released by the centre was distributed to affected places. Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy would give Rs 25 crore for constructing houses and another organization has joined its hands with the government to construct houses, he said.
Rs 100 cr cheque given
State Government Employees Association president H.K. Ramu presented a cheque of Rs 100 crore from the association to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. A documentary of natural disaster prepared by the district administration was screened on the occasion. Symbolically, house selection letter was given to a beneficiary.
MLA MP Appachu Ranjan presided over the programme in which MLAs KG Bopaiah, Sunil Subramani, Veena Achaiah, SL Boje Gowda, V. Anbukumar, Mysuru Zone IGP Sharath Chandra, Suman D. Pannekar, and others were present.
Deputy Commissioner PI Srividya welcomed the gathering, while additional deputy commissioner Jagadeesh proposed vote of thanks. Madapura school students sung state anthem on the occasion.
Benefits to be given to affected people?
The government has taken various measures to rehabilitate the affected people and released funds. For temporary arrangements, the government has been giving Rs 10,000 rent per month for those who lost houses in the incident. Till the new houses are constructed, the government would give the house rent. For those who want to construct houses in their own land, the government would give Rs 15 lakh, said CM Kumaraswamy.
The Kodagu Reconstruction Authority has prepared various programmes for the rehabilitation of people. The government has taken all steps to ensure that Kodagu will come back to its previous condition. The entire amount donated to the Kodagu Rehabilitation Funds would be utilized for Kodagu only and it has been utilizing the funds effectively, he 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.
