If voted to power, Cong will set up ministry of fisheries: Rahul in Kerala


Team Udayavani, Aug 28, 2018, 6:20 PM IST

Alapuzha: Visiting the flood-ravaged areas of Kerala, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday saluted fishermen who played a key role in rescuing those marooned in the deluge.

Claiming that the fishermen community in the country was facing a crisis similar to that by the farmers, he said if the Congress comes to power at the Centre, a separate fisheries ministry would be set up.

Arriving in Kerala on a two-day visit, Rahul Gandhi spoke to people at relief camps, days after the deadliest deluge in the last 100 years left a trail of destruction and death in the state.

At a reception hosted by the Congress in the worst-hit Alapuzha to honour the fishermen community, Rahul Gandhi said the Coast Guard should make use of the services of fishermen for rescue operations in the future.

“I am proud to say that through all your difficulties… through all your hardships… whenever Kerala needed you… you stood up and gave your best. I salute your commitment to the people of Kerala,” the Congress president said.

Three thousand fishermen had saved 70,000 lives in the recent floods, he said.

Alleging that the fishermen community in the country was facing a crisis similar to that by the farmers, Rahul Gandhi said, “The moment the Congress comes to power at the Centre, we are going to set up a ministry of fisheries.”

“God’s own army will have its own ministry. So your problems can be looked after and your words can be heard at the national level,” he said, adding, “I do not want to make fake promises. This is a word of the Congress president.”

Along with farmers, fishermen have also helped build the country, Rahul Gandhi said and asserted that it was an “honour” for him to felicitate the fishermen who had saved several lives.

Recalled his last visit to the state in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi said, “I came and visited your houses and I must say looking back, I am not happy for the help you had received for the damage (suffered in the cyclone).”

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning from the UK, visited relief camps in Chengannur and Alapuzha and spoke to the affected people. He is scheduled to visit some camps in Ernakulam district later in the day and tour Wayanad and Kozhikode districts on Wednesday.

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “President of @INCIndia @RahulGandhi left Thiruvananthapuram this morning for flood-affected areas in central Kerala. His two-day visit will cover districts with the heaviest inundation over the last two weeks (sic).”

In Chengannur, the Congress chief visited relief camps at two colleges and interacted with the people sheltered there.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Congress’ state unit president M M Hassan were among those who accompanied Rahul Gandhi. “Congress President @RahulGandhi meets the flood-affected at the Relief Camp at the Engineering College in Chengannur, Kerala #RebuildingKerala (sic),” the party tweeted, attaching photos of Rahul Gandhi meeting people at the camps.

According to data released on Tuesday morning by the Disaster Management’s state control room, 474 people have died in the rains and floods since May 29 when the southwest monsoon set in over Kerala.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board

After Yogi’s ‘batenge, katenge’ slogan, PM pitches for unity with ‘Ek hai, toh safe hai’ message

“Coming soon.. 2025”: KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty announce first pregnancy

Mangaluru: Unauthorized bus stops at signals fuel traffic woes and safety concerns

SC notice to Karnataka, DK Shivakumar on CBI plea against withdrawal of consent by state govt

Will remain active in politics till my last breath: JD(S) patriarch & ex-PM Deve Gowda

BJP calls Congress govt ‘laughing stock’ as ‘samosa politics’ heats up in Himachal

Related Articles More

UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair

After Yogi’s ‘batenge, katenge’ slogan, PM pitches for unity with ‘Ek hai, toh safe hai’ message

Bank fraud: ED seizes jewellery, cash worth over Rs 1 cr in raids against Bhopal-based company, directors

No greater feeling than serving those in need: Outgoing CJI D Y Chandrachud

CJI Chandrachud: A legacy of landmark verdicts that shaped society and some controversy too

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board

Use Carnatic music to promote Kannada language: Nirmala Sitharaman

Udupi: Car collides with bike; Rider injured

UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair

NSE, BSE to be closed on Nov 20 for Maharashtra assembly polls

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.