Fate of fishermen community changed after formation of Telangana state: Errabelli

WARANGAL: The fishermen used to face a lot of problems in the past. Still, in many parts of the country, they are facing the same, but after the formation of Telangana state, their fate was changed along with developing economically, said the panchayat raj minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao.

The minister, along with the local MLA Peddi Sudharshan Reddy, MLC Banda Prakash and district collector Gopi, released fish seed worth Rs 6.32 lakh in the Madannapet lake here at Narsampet in Warangal district on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Rao said that Telangana is the only state that provided the fishermen's rights on the lakes by forming special societies. Previously, it used to be very difficult for them to purchase the fish seed, spending lakhs of rupees, but after the formation of Telangana state, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao spent Rs 500 crore giving a 100 percent subsidy and distributing the fish seed free to the fishermen communities.

With the Kaleshwaram project, around 763 lakes present across the state are seen overflowing with water throughout the year. By utilising the opportunity, the fishermen and their families must develop economically.

The minister suggested the officials concerned to create awareness and encourage the fisherwomen by giving special training in marketing. The government is always ready to give training to them, he pointed out.

MLC Banda Prakash said that with the blessings of CM who had complete knowledge about the living standards and professions of the various sections of the people, the shape of the entire Telangana state was changed with the implementation of several welfare schemes.

There are around 5,000 fishermen societies across the state. A special drive will be conducted for promoting the societies. Unlike in any other state, Telangana is the only state that is not only distributing free fish seed to the fishermen but also fishing nets and motor vehicles free of cost to them, he added.