Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan recently convened a pivotal meeting with senior officials from the Fisheries and Panchayat Raj & Rural Development (PR&RD) departments, alongside experts from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Visakhapatnam. The primary goal of these discussions was to devise effective strategies for significantly improving the lives of fishermen in the coastal villages of Kakinada district, particularly in Uppada, an area acutely affected by coastal erosion.
The core of the discussion revolved around two crucial objectives: boosting the fishing capacity of these communities and creating new avenues for them to earn additional income.
During the session at his camp office near Mangalagiri, Mr. Pawan Kalyan thoroughly reviewed the meticulously prepared 100-day action plan aimed at uplifting the fishing communities. He issued clear instructions to the officials to promptly address and resolve immediate concerns that were brought to his attention by the local fishermen during his recent visit to his Pithapuram constituency.
Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the importance of implementing measures to provide improved fishing facilities, which are essential for enhancing the overall livelihood of these hardworking individuals. He also highlighted the critical need for training fishermen in advanced fishing techniques, thereby equipping them with modern skills for a more prosperous future.
To ensure these objectives are successfully met, Mr. Pawan Kalyan specifically sought the collaborative support of Dr. Joe K. Kizhakudan, Principal Scientist and Head of CMFRI-Visakhapatnam. Additionally, he directed the Kakinada District Collector to diligently study and integrate CMFRI’s expert recommendations into the district’s development plans.
The meeting saw the attendance of several key officials, including PR&RD Commissioner M.V.R. Krishna Teja, Fisheries Commissioner Ramasankar Naik, Kakinada Collector S. Shan Mohan, Superintendent of Police Bindu Madhav, and Pithapuram Area Development Authority Project Director Chaitra Varshini, underscoring the government’s collective commitment to this vital initiative.