Chapter 2 - Kerala Govt Logo

Environmental Assessment ReportKerala Local Government Strengthening ProjectConduct seminars and exhibitions for awareness building on the potential of developmentof ornamental fisheries.Develop mangroves on the beaches of lakes to conserve the genetic diversity of fish whichis facing the threat of extinction.Promote aquaculture including cultivation of prawns, crabs etc. in the lakes (Kerala hasabout 20000 hectares of lakes suitable for aquaculture development) with the assistance ofBrackish Water Fish Farmers Agency.Strengthen the activities of Matsyafed, a producer co-operative, in the field of marketing.Set up clean fish markets with all modern amenities by Matsyafed with the help of LocalGovernments.Organize small self help groups of unemployed women among the fishing communities andimpart job-oriented training to them.Launch a special literacy program concentrating on fishing villages and provide assistanceto women‟s associations of the community for activities on empowerment of women.Launch special projects for providing safe drinking water in fishing villages includingprojects to harvest rain water, incentives for the education of the children of the fishingfolk covering vocational courses in self-financing institutions also, steps to bring down therate of drop-outs in schools with the help of voluntary organisations, child care centres inthe fishermen‟s villages to enable the girls who are compelled to stop education and act asbaby sitters where both the parents have to go to work.2.3.1.7. The Kerala Industrial and Commercial Policy 2007The policy spells out the thrust areas, methods of intervention and strategy for the promotionand development of industrial and commercial activities in the State. The Policy does notassign any specific role to the Local Governments in the promotion and development ofIndustry and trade in the State, except promotion of micro and small enterprises using thefunds and unused land of Local Governments. It also mentions about sourcing of a reputedconsultant to identify the areas for utilising the entrepreneurship opportunities in theGovernment/Quasi Government/Local Self Government/ Private Sector. The policy recognizesthe powers vested with Local Governments for establishment of infrastructural facilities andother common facilities to enable the developments of Industries to enhance local economicactivities. In order to create and sustain an entrepreneurial environment at local level,interventions are identified in the following areas of activity.1. Infrastructure facilities at reasonable cost to entrepreneurs after providing training.2. Training to workers based on the requirement of the units to be established.3. Promotion of household units and small business.4. Handholding of the units till the activities is streamlined.5. Establishment of common facility centres including testing facilities6. Facilitation centres for assisting entrepreneurs to identify appropriate products andservices7. Formulation of viable project proposals complying the formalities with the Governmentalagencies during the preliminary stages, sourcing of raw material, management ofaccounting function, marketing support, enabling institutional finance.8. Facilitation for technical and technological support.62