Though late, but finally the State Government provided the much awaited special PDS cards to the traditional marine fishermen of Mahakalapada block on Tuesday at a function organized at Kharansi fishing jetty. The fishermen henceforth will get rice at Re 1 per kg like other BPl beneficiaries.
Notably, the economic status of the marine fishermen in Mahakalapada and Rajnagar blocks has been adversely affected following a fishing ban on sea in order to provide safety to the endangered marine turtles. Every year, the Government clamps a seven-month ban on sea fishing in a 20 km radius territory stretching from Dhamara to Devi river mouth within Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. In accordance with the Odisha Marine Fisheries Regulatory Act, 1983, the prohibitory orders on sea fishing remains effective from November 1 to May 31. loss of livelihood has forced the fishermen community to migrate from villages.
As many as 2,241 traditional marine fishermen of Mahakalapada block obtained the special PDS card on Tuesday in a function organized by the Civil Supplies department in collaboration with Fishery and Animal Husbandry department.
As many as 646 traditional marine fishermen of Kharanashi gram panchayat, 584 fishermen of Ramnagar, 761 fishermen of Batighar and 250 fishermen of Barakandha gram panchayat in Mahakalapada block received the special PDS card. MlA Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Mahakalapada block chairman Sarojini Sethy, BDO Kailash Chandra Behera, Assistant Director of Fishery (marine) department, Kujanga, Pratap Ranjan Rout and other officials were present in the special PDS card distribution ceremony.