Report by Priyabrata Nayak; Bhubaneswar: About hundred fisherman families from Gopalpur Notified Area Council (NAC) of Ganjam district will get low cost house under “Adarsh matsyajibi gram” scheme. As fishermen of Gopalpur NAC have a key role in fish procurement and Production State fishery and animal husbandry department has announced this package for them.

Mainly families residing at Nua baxipalli, Markandi, Garampeta and Gopalpur villages will be included in various schemes meant for the development of frarmers.

Today a review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Fisheries and animal husbandry minister Ramesh chandra majhi. It known from the meeting that proposal for construction of a fish-landing center at Markandi of Gopalpur is now under consideration of the department. For this purpose an estimated cost of 3.5 crore in first phase and five crore in next phase would be spent. After land acquisition and environmental clearance process are done, the construction work will start.

Minister Majhi instructed authorities to finish the entire primary proceedings till October of this year. Apart from this Majhi also directed them to distribute land pattas to the fishermen who are residing there for long time, on priority basis.

Participating in this review meeting Gopalpur legislator Dr Pradeep panigrahi raised several issues related to the fishermen. Commissioner cum secretary Satyabrata sahu assured him that department will initiate all required measures to address problems of them.

Among others special commissioner cum secretary Khagendra jena, Director of fishery P.k mohan, Joint director Urbashi behera participated in this meeting.