Join Welfare Board, Minister tells fisherfolk

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MARCH 31.It was important for fisherfolk to enrol themselves in the Labour Welfare Board set up by the Government for the unorganised sector, Mr. K. Ponmudi, Transport Minister, said here today.

The enrolment would provide the community monetary assistance for education and marriage of their children, beside other benefits, such as accident and death relief, he said.

Mr. Ponmudi was participating in a function organised to mark the release of the magazine `Meenavar Murasu', dedicated for the uplift of the fishermen community.

The Mayor, Mr. M.K. Stalin said the community should be aware of the benefits extended to them by the State. From 1996 to 2001, about 20,000 houses had been constructed for them at a cost of Rs. 64.89 crores. Subsidised nets and fishing gear had been made available to 13,234 fishermen. Diesel subsidy was extended to 7,182 fishermen and the number that had benefitted under the savings-cum-relief scheme was 8.34 lakhs.

The Fisheries Minister, Ms. Jennifer Chandran, detailing the government schemes available for the community, said the its growth was handicapped due to lack of education.

The founder president of Paruvatharaja Fishermen Trust, Mr. E. Samikannu said the monthly magazine was funded by the trust's corpus fund and it would be run on no profit basis.

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Section  : Southern States
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