MARGAO: Members of the fishing community from South Goa were elated to hear that their long-pending demand for insurance to be given to them may finally be implemented.
Reacting to the assurance given by new Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar of providing them with insurance cover and reasoning why they need such insurance, the fishing community hopes that such a promise becomes a reality soon and does not suffer delays on the ground of technicalities.
Halarnkar had earlier justified the need to give fishermen insurance cover and spoke about the risk they face when they venture out to sea for work.
The fishing community was also pleased to hear that the new Fisheries Minister has promised to take action against illegal entry of fishing boats from neighbouring States and also against the alleged use of illegal fishing gear by big trawlers owned by Goans itself.
Halarnkar had spoken about such illegal activities reducing the catch of fish available for local fishermen in the State.
The fishing community said that these have been their major demands as it has affected their livelihood and that if no action is taken now, their future is bleak.
