Title: Urged upon the Minister of Agriculture to protect the Central Marine Fishery Research Institute, located at Mandapam in Tamil Nadu from being shifted to other States.
*SHRI P. MOHAN (MADURAI): Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to bring to the notice of this august House the indifferent treatment meted out to the Central Marine Fishery Research Institute located at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu. Of late, its importance is sought to be curtailed. The institute that comes under the Union Agriculture Ministry must be protected and the Centre must immediately intervene in the matter. Pearl culture is there as oysters grow abundantly there. Likewise Krubar variety fishes are available there in large number. They earn considerable foreign exchange as they are exported in good quantity. Coral reef available in plenty there is used in cement industries. It also serves as a well recognised Marine Research Institute and such a status has been accorded by various Universities all over the country. It remains as a gateway to abundant sea wealth. Post graduate and Ph.D. scholars go through this Research Institute. The Institute is located in a pollution free environment. It used to be a Headquarters Station in the southern region but now it is being shifted to other neighbouring States. Recently its headquarters has been moved to a neighbouring State. Of the 12 scientists, six have been moved out and the fifty percent of vacancies have not been filled for the past one year now. It is made to lose its importance step by step. There is an impending danger that the entire institute may be moved out of Mandapam and Tamil Nadu State to a neighbouring State. As far as southern districts of Tamil Nadu are concerned, public sector units and Government run Institutions are scarce and they are nil or negligible for the past 52 years.
This prestigious Research Institute functioning there must be retained with its eminent status and it needs to be protected from being shifted. The Research Institute attracts scientists from many countries far across the globe. Hence the Central Marine Fishery Research Institute at Mandapam must continue.
I urge upon the Union Agriculture Ministry to come forward to run this Research Institute at Mandapam itself and stall the process of its being shifted to other neighbouring States.
__________________________________________________________________
* English translation of the speech originally delivered in Tamil.
Â