RAMANATHAPURAM
Union Minister for Fishing, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Giriraj Singh, on Sunday said that about 2000 fishermen, who were held in various countries for alleged violations, were safely brought back home in the last seven years.
The minister, who was in the coastal district, addressed sea-weed cultivators, Self-Help-Groups and fishermen, told reporters, after a meeting with AIADMK senior leader Anwar Rajhaa, that the Centre did its best for the fishermen as far as they were within the country.
For instance, the Centre had enhanced the subsidy and loan component for construction of deep sea fishing vessels to ₹ 80 lakh. The fishermen delegation appealed to enhance it further as the costs had escalated.
However, when issues related to detention of Indian fishermen in Iran or Sri Lanka or by any other country, the diplomatic channels had to be opened up and various ministries and officials had to be engaged.
Assuring that the Centre would positively look into the grievances…