Union Minister L Murugan said here on Saturday that the proposed seaweed park in Tamil Nadu, a first in the state, would provide employment and scope for economic growth.
Speaking after launching a vaccine drive initiative, part of the Centre’s ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign for door-to-door COVID-19 To motivate people to get fully vaccinated against the virus, he said the park, apart from providing employment to the women in the fishing community, would empower them financially.
About 48 districts have been identified under the campaign, where coverage of the first dose among eligible beneficiaries is less than 50 per cent.
Murugan recalled that the prime minister had announced the setting up of the proposed park, which would be the first in the state.
“The demand for seaweed is increasing as it is used in the production of fertilizers and medicines,” said the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Information and Broadcasting.
Pointing out that seaweed is consumed as food in Japan, he said that it contains nutrients and hence will occupy an important place in the future. “There is scope for employment and economic growth,” he said.
Murugan said the work would start soon after receiving the project report from the Tamil Nadu government.
On the vaccination campaign launched by him, Murugan said that the Prime Minister, during his interaction with district collectors, had asked people to provide the vaccine at their doorstep.
After this, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched the program in Gujarat on 4th November and we are here today to implement it in Tamil Nadu.
He said that the Center has so far issued 6.32 crore vaccines to Tamil Nadu, out of which 5.94 crore people have been vaccinated.
“While 71 per cent people have been given the first dose, 32 per cent have been given the second dose. There are 65 lakh people who are yet to take the second dose.
Murugan urged people to take precautions in view of the festive season and appealed to those who have not received the second dose, to get vaccinated without delay.
He also requested people to wear masks and follow the COVID-19 protocol without fail.
“Though Diwali is over, other festivals are coming. So, we should be cautious”, he said.
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