AP Govt steps up initiatives for coastal fishermen’s welfare

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan held a review meeting on Friday to assess the implementation of the state government’s 100-day plan aimed at improving the lives of fishermen in the coastal villages of Uppada. The meeting, conducted at the Deputy CM’s camp office, brought together senior officials from the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Fisheries Departments, as well as scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Visakhapatnam.

During the session, Pawan Kalyan discussed strategies to enhance fishing efficiency and generate additional income for fishermen. He emphasized the need to provide better facilities, skill development, and technical guidance to coastal communities to improve livelihoods. Officials were instructed to explore measures to strengthen infrastructure in fishing villages and support sustainable fishing practices.

The review also included technical inputs from Dr. Joy K. Kizhakkudan, Chief Scientist at CMFRI, Visakhapatnam, who offered suggestions on increasing fish resources and employing scientific methods to improve catches. While the specific recommendations were not publicly disclosed, the Deputy CM directed the Kakinada District Collector to assess the feasibility of implementing these measures.

Officials attending the meeting included Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department Mylavarapu Krishna Teja, Commissioner of Fisheries Department Ramashankar Naik, Kakinada District Collector Shanmohan Sagili, SP Bindu Madhav, and PADA Project Director Chaitra Varshini, among others.

The meeting followed Pawan Kalyan’s recent visit to Kakinada as part of the 100-day plan, which focuses on addressing the concerns of fishermen in Pithapuram constituency’s coastal villages. Discussions reviewed actions taken so far and outlined future steps to empower fishermen, enhance skill sets, and provide access to modern techniques and facilities.

Through these initiatives, the Andhra Pradesh government aims to strengthen the fisheries sector, boost income for coastal communities, and promote sustainable practices that preserve marine resources.