Solatium will be given for fishing boats held captive in SL: Minister

Fisheries Minister A. Srinath on Wednesday announced that a solatium of ₹1.86 crore will be distributed to fishermen, whose boats are held captive in Sri Lanka. The boats have remained in that country for over a year now and belong to Ramanathapuram, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam district fishermen.

Speaking during the demands for the Fisheries Department in the State Assembly, the Minister also announced that the daily assistance granted to families of fishermen missing at sea will be increased from ₹350 a day to ₹600 a day per person.

Similarly, the assistance given to families of fishermen in Sri Lankan prisons will be increased to ₹600 per person per day. Fishermen's cooperatives will be strengthened in such a manner that they they can generate revenue.

He also said that a project management committee would be formed to oversee implementation of projects in the department. Animal husbandry Minister S. Kamali in Wednesday announced the launch of a scheme to rear broiler rabbits at subsidised rates to small and medium farmers at a cost of ₹0.28 crore.

This, she said would help improve incomes of farmers and protein availability in rural areas. Speaking during the demands on Animal Husbandry in the Assembly, she said pig rearing would be encouraged among the economically backward.

Initially, a subsidy of 50% would be provided to 50 persons at a cost of ₹0.70 crore. Minister for Dairy Development C. Vijayalakshmi said that a white paper on Aavin's functioning would be brought out soon and that a committee would be set up to look into past scams and action would be taken on those involved.

She said that the cheese and chocolate factory at Ooty would be started soon. Steps would be taken to increase the shelf life of Aavin products.