Govt offers fresh proposals on Gangavaram

Gangavaram Matsyakarula Aikya Vedika (GMAV) and opposition parties on Tuesday had an hour-long discussion on the alternative proposals made by the government.

Late on Monday night, state minister for commercial taxes Konalata Ramakrishana announced that government would accept the construction of a fish landing jetty at 600 metres north of Nalamaramma Patalu instead of Yarada as demanded by the local fishermen.

But the minister laid the condition that if fishermen wanted a jetty at Nalamaramma Patalu, the government would not provide rehabilitation and resettlement package, which was announced earlier, and it would not provide jobs to them in Gangavaram port.

Another condition is that if fishermen agreed to the construction of a jetty at Yarada, they would be extended incentives under the rehabilitation policy and jobs for 300 fishermen. Besides, the government would lay a pacca road to Yarada jetty from the existing villages. It would also shift the effected villages to a place where the livelihood of the fishermen would not be effected and with all basic facilities.

GMAV representatives and opposition party leaders held separate meetings to discuss the proposals. "Our objective is to get justice for local fishermen. If the government failed to come forward with an amicable solution, opposition parties would continue agitation along with fishermen," Manam Anjeneyulu, CPI leader, told Business Standard on Tuesday.