Hans News Service Nellore

DistrictCollector Himanshu Shukla stated that the government’s primary objective is to provide a permanent solution to the issue of illegal fishing by fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

He took part in a big convention cum interaction programme with representatives and village heads of fishermen who attended from 162 villages of Nellore, Tirupati, Prakasam, and Bapatla, organized at Town Hall in Nellore city here on Thursday.

Collector detailed as part of measure to prevent illegal venturing and infiltration of other states fishermen in to Andhra Pradesh the government has launched established Robust System with active participation from local fishermen.

He announced that 4 High Speed Boats(HSB) one each to Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla districts and another two also would be allocated (Total 3 for Nellore District) as proposals were sent to the government to sanction them at once.

He narrated that these boats designed with 650Horse Power(HP) capacity would be used for only patrolling purpose but not for venturing.

Collector urged the village heads to nominate the name of 10 beneficiaries for each HSB by April 12.

While responding to the plea of fishermen over government to bear their maintainance cost related to procuring 650HP Steel Boats and repair of existing Marine Police Boats, consider the fishermen who are working on Patroling as government employees, Collector assured them that he would pursue the matter to the government found amicable solution.

SP Dr Ajitha Vejendla suggested forming a special committee comprising officials and fishermen to decide on standard procedures for handling illegal fishing cases, including interception, detention, and patrolling norms.

Additional SP Soujanya, DFO Mahaboob Basha, DRO Vijay Kumar, Fisheries Director Santhi, Nellore RDOs Anusha and others, were present.