Agency mooted for PCPIR-affected

Visakhapatnam: Giving priority to the welfare of fishermen in PCPIR, an agency, similar to that of ITDA, has been proposed and forwarded to the government for consideration, PCPIR and Vuda vice-chairman Dr N. Yuvaraj said.

The proposal includes seeking funds from the Government of India and to entrust the agency, PCPIR special development authority, with responsibilities of utilising the funds properly, implementation of welfare schemes for fishermen and all other related activities.

Yuvaraj was addressing a meeting conducted with representatives of political parties on Thursday.

He apprised the parties on the PCPIR highlighting the aspects of the draft master plan.

Briefing them about various aspects of the PCPIR master plan, he said the land use pattern and transport connectivity has been prepared keeping in view the interests of the public in the area.

As majority of the 55 villages are dominated by fishermen community, a separate package has also been sought for them in the master plan, he added.

The draft master plan has been publicised through various means of communication including display of maps at village level, Yuvaraj said.

Usually, 30 days time is given for receiving objections for any proposal, but the timeline for PCPIR has been extended up to 90 days, which has been further dragged for 30 more days in view of the agitations and cyclone, Yuvaraj explained.

“PCPIR has received about 1,020 objections and suggestions by the closure of date on Dec. 5. The draft master plan has been prepared concerning all sections in the entire 640 square kilometers from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada and will be forwarded for examination and approval,” he said.

Issues such as fishermen welfare, pollution control, infrastructure development, establishment of industrial belts away from residential areas, conservation of natural, forest and water resources, protection of coastal areas and safeguarding the agricultural lands and others were dealt with proper attention in the master plan, Yuvaraj said.

Yuvaraj requested the representatives of the political parties to submit their objections or suggestions in writing and said that the same will be placed before the competent authorities for examination.

The representatives of the political parties demanded for formulation of government orders for implementation of privileges to the affected people such as employment and other benefits. 

Compensation to the land losers should be provided adopting the provisions of the new Land Acquisition Act, they said.

Issues of pollution due to industrialisation and fishermen welfare should be addressed and steps should be taken to protect the handicrafts and community-based professions, they said.

The PCPIR SDA and the governments should act pro public in keeping the promises made in the master plan otherwise aversion will increase against the project, the representatives underlined.

Representatives from TDP< CPI< CPM, BJP, Congress BSP from both Vizag and East Godavari districts took part in the meeting.