Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy met Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in New Delhi on Tuesday to highlight several challenges faced by fishermen in Nellore district.
The MP strongly advocated for the construction of a fishing jetty at Ponnapudi Pathuru village in Vidavalur mandal. He explained that the Pyderu creek, a crucial channel for fishing boats, has become heavily silted at its sea mouth, creating significant hardships for fishermen from seven habitations under Ramachandrapuram gram panchayat.
“There is an urgent need for a fishing jetty to provide berthing facilities for the 370 boats operating in the region. This would safeguard boats during cyclones and offer a secure area for unloading fish landings, benefiting over 6,000 fishermen from 1,750 families across 12 habitations along the Pyderu creek,” the MP said. He also proposed dredging and revetment work to ensure uninterrupted access to the sea.
The MP additionally sought a revision of the unit cost and subsidy for OBC beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). He noted that the current cost of deep-sea fishing vessels at ₹120 lakh is unaffordable for many traditional fishermen, even with a 40% subsidy of ₹48 lakh for OBCs.
“There is a need to consider medium-sized boats costing ₹60 lakh for easier maintenance and affordability,” he added. This measure, he suggested, would enable better utilization of the recently inaugurated Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Bogole mandal, where the lack of sufficient deep-sea fishing boats is a pressing concern.
The MP emphasized the importance of creating Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) to secure bank funding and ensure financial upliftment for fishermen. His proposals aim to enhance the livelihoods of the fishing community in Nellore district.