In-principle approval for Pitroda proposals: CM

KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the State Government had in-principle approved the proposals for the development of the state submitted by Sam Pitroda. “According to the proposal, tourism, fisheries and inland waterways are the three major sectors to be developed” the Chief Minister said.    He was speaking after inaugurating the Sixth India International Aqua Show here on Friday.“The government will take further steps once the committee led by Pitroda submits a detailed report. With unique geographical features, Kerala has great potential to develop the proposed sectors,” the Chief Minister said. He lashed out at the Customs officials who reportedly troubled the international delegates for the aqua show at the Kochi international airport on Thursday night. “The State Government will bring the issue to the Union Government’s notice. Aqua show is not a private event, but an effort by the State Government for the development of a potential sector. Cooperation of all agencies is essential for the success of the event, Chandy said. There are allegations that the Customs officials refused to release the containers which carried different species of ornamental fishes which were to be displayed at the show. Excise and Fisheries Minister K Babu said that the government had formulated a housing project for fishermen. The project is intended to be implemented in 200 coastal villages across the state. Once the housing project is completed a similar project focusing on education will also be implemented, Babu said. He further said that Kerala’s share in the Rs 50,000-crore worth global ornamental fish industry is just 0.8 percent and it should be enhanced. The State Government has appointed a committee of experts to formulate an aqua culture policy for the state,” he said.  Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K V Thomas, Mayor Tony Chammany, Charles Dias MP, MLAs Dominic Presentation, Benny Behanan, and Ludy Louis, Additional Chief Secretary P K Mohanthy and district panchayth president Eldose Kunnapally spoke on the ocassion.