The National Association of Fishermen (NAF), established in the year 1979 for welfare of the fishing community in the country, launched its Odisha Chapter on Friday on the auspicious day of the Shreeram Navami at a function at Baleswar.
The ceremony held in the premises of Sadhoba Marine, a fishing implement manufacturing factory, amidst a large gathering of fishermen and NAF members of Odisha was attended by several eminent persons of the State and country.
Baleswar Sadar MlA Jeevan Pradip Das, Remuna MlA Sudarshan Jena and former Baleswar Sadar MlA Arun Dey welcomed the launching of the NAF Odisha Chapter, especially from Baleswar. They assured NAF national president Dr GK Bhanji, secretary general Dr MK Tomar and president for Odisha & West Bengal Harendra N Mahapatra for all help and support to the
association and to the fishing community.
Chairperson of State Social Welfare Board Nibedita Nayak enlightened the crowd on various social schemes available with the Government. Harendra Mahapatra hailed the activities of the State Government for development of fisheries under various schemes.
President of Odisha Traditional Fish Workers’ Union Narayan Haldhar stressed the need for providing bank finance to the union’s members.
In spite of several branches of the SBI in their areas, the fishermen have to borrow funds from private moneylenders and eventually land in debt trap which is a matter of great concern, he said.
The need to organise a larger meeting of the fishing community in the State in the near future under the NAF banner was emphasised by the guests.