<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L Murugan arrived in Kochi last night, December 30 on a six-day visit to the state.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Dr. Murugan held a meeting with officials of the Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) in Kochi this afternoon.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L Murugan today said that despite Corona induced economic slowdown, the country's marine products exports grew by 32 percent thus generating employment and contributing significantly to the country's economy.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">He was speaking to media persons after a review meeting with officials of the Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) in Kochi.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">He said the fishing harbours in Kochi, Chennai, Paradip and Vishakhapatinam will be raised to international standards. The country is also focussing on developing fish landing centres, setting up post harvest cold storages, ice plants and modernisation of fish processing units.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">He said the Union Government made an investment of 32,500 crore rupees during the past eight years in the fisheries sector, as against the meagre 3000 crore allotted since independence.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">The Minister observed that the government is in favour of upholding the right to freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Constitution. However, writings in the social media against the country, its military, sovereignty and bilateral friendly relations will be blocked. He clarified that the sovereignty and security of the country are of paramount importance, on which there will be no compromise.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Dr. L Murugan will leave for Kumarakom and visit Eattumanoor in the Kottayam district tomorrow, 1st January 2023.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">On Monday, the minister will visit the Indian Institute of Mass Communication at Kottayam and interact with students.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">He will visit the Fishing Harbour in Kochi on Tuesday and later visit Kodungallur. He will return to New Delhi on Wednesday.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>