AP govt to supply wireless sets to fishermen in coastal areas

AP govt to supply wireless sets to fishermen in coastal areas
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 21: Andhra Pradesh government has decided to supply wireless sets to fishermen in the coastal areas on 50 per cent subsidy to enable them to communicate with the authorities in the event of a cyclone.

Addressing a news conference here, N Narasimha Rao, the state minister for backward classes welfare and fisheries said about 2800 fishing boats in the coast would be supplied with wireless sets by the end of June. He also said that registration of fishing boats and payment of insurance would be made compulsory from the current year.

Rao said the state government has appealed to the Centre to enhance the risk cover for fishermen from Rs 35,000 to Rs one lakh. The housing loan limit to fishermen would be enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000, he added.

The state government was considering opening five residential schools for backward class students during the current academic year in the State. It was also contemplating to open a separate bank for the welfare of backward classes besides merging SC, BC and ST hostels for their effective functioning, the minister said.

The fisheries department would open 150 fish stall in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in order to supply fresh fish to the consumers, he added.