Minister promises to address problems of fish markets, sellers in Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 23: Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj said he will work towards chalking out an integrated fishing policy for the coastal states and implementing sports policy in Karnataka.

Speaking after accepting felicitation organised by the Dakshina Kannada Jilla Samastha Mogaveera Sanghatane and Dakshina Kannada Jilla Mogaveera Yuva Vedike here on Saturday, he said that fishing policy varies from state to state.

“A delegation of minister of fisheries from all the coastal states will go the Centre seeking integrated fishing policy for coastal states. Such a policy helps in tackling the problem of fish famine,” he said.

The state government will make also take steps to formulate a sports policy. A committee formed three years ago to draft the policy is yet to submit its report.

He said he will hold talks with the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) about the pathetic condition of fish markets and the plight of women who sell fish.

“The experience I had as president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha has helped in my political career,” he said and promised to work towards the welfare of Mogaveera community. The minister said he was aged 28 when he became the president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha. “At the age of 48, I have become a minister. God blesses those who have worked with integrity and transparency. When I met AICC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi recently, I promised her of giving a corruption-free governance,” said Madhwaraj.

Entrepreneur G Shankar called upon the members of fishermen community to wage a unified struggle for their rights. “In spite of political parties claiming to be secular, caste plays a vital role while issuing the tickets to contest the election. Hailing from a Mogaveera community, Minister Madhwaraj knows the pulse of community members,” he said.

Alva's Education Trust Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva said that Mogaveera community members have contributed to the economy of the district and the country through their occupation. “The community members had incurred loss when huge industries were set up in and around Mangaluru. They have made sacrifice for the development of the district. The sports policy is need of the hour to promote sports talent in the state,” Dr Alva said.

MLA Abhayachandra Jain said the minister should look into the demand for an indoor shuttle court, football ground, cricket stadium and swimming pool for Mangaluru.
“The chief minister has given me three year's time to serve the people. Power is not permanent. It is the work which one does while in power matters. Madhwaraj has been inducted to the Cabinet to give representation to fishermen community,” he said.

MLA J R Lobo said phase III of construction of the new fishing harbour at Mangaluru old port bunder needs to be completed at the earliest to decongest the existing harbour. With lack of facilities for anchoring boats, many fishermen anchor outside the port. Students of Mogaveera community who have secured more than 90% marks in SSLC and PU were felicitated on the occasion.