Chennai, July 1(BPNS)
The Tamil Nadu minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Anitha R Radhakrishnan said that the Chief Minister M.K.Stalin is of the view that talks between India and Sri Lanka is necessary to have a permanent solution to the attack on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The minister while responding to questions of reporters on attack by Sri Lankan navy on fishermen from Tamil Nadu said,” Whenever such attacks take place, the Chief Minister immediately contacts the Prime Minister and Union Home minister. CM is of the opinion that both countries should conduct high-level talks regarding this and find a permanent solution to this issue, which will happen soon.”
The fisheries minister said that all efforts are there to improve the ranking of Tamil Nadu to retain back its position as the number one exporter of fish in the country and said that it has now slipped to the fifth position. He said that the export of freshwater fish would be promoted to get foreign currency currently, Andhra Pradesh is exporting freshwater fish in huge numbers.
When reporters asked on the government fixing prices for fish as some fishermen organizations has demanded, the minister said, “We have to make a decision taking into consideration all factors related to this. We will have discussions with the concerned people and officials and let us see.”
Anitha R. Radhakrishnan was inspecting the progress on the work at the Advanced Institute for Integrated Research on Livestock and Animal Sciences at Thalivasal.
The institute is set up at 1022 acres of land and will have advanced facilities for research and veterinary sciences. This centre will also have a livestock farm and will provide self-employment support to farmers, Minister said.
The Minister said that the veterinary college in the centre is currently teaching 40 students and the strength would be increased to 80 in the near future. He also said that foreign students will also be admitted to this veterinary college and the institute will be uplifted to international standards.
Fishermen association leader Jesu Raja when asked about the talks to be held with the Sri Lankan officials regarding attack on fishermen said, “The talks are necessary and important and Sri Lankan navy behaves very rudely to our fishermen when we accidentally cross into Sri Lankan waters. Talks are important for a permanent solution in this matter.”
