28. My Tenure in Fisheries and the Arrival of a New Chief Minister
After returning from the Kutch earthquake relief work, I devoted myself fully to my new assignment as Commissioner of Fisheries. Seeing a vegetarian Commissioner, officers could not offer fish delicacies in meetings — but we focused on the real mission: developing the fisheries sector as a source of livelihood for thousands of fishing families, contributing to GDP growth, and earning valuable foreign exchange.
The Sea that Connects Gujarat to the World
Gujarat’s coastline — about 2,541 kilometers long — is the longest in India. The Arabian Sea, the Ratnakar Sagar of poet Narmad, connects Gujarat to maritime nations across the world, shaping its international character since ancient times.
The two great pilgrimage sites — Somnath and Dwarka — stand as sacred symbols of Hindu faith along this coast. The arrow at Somnath’s seashore points straight to the waters extending all the way to the South Pole — a reminder of Gujarat’s global reach.
Gandhiji and Shyamji Krishna Varma both once crossed this same Arabian Sea — voyages that changed not only their own destinies but also that of the nation.
Centuries earlier, Gujarat’s independent Sultan Bahadur Shah perished in the waters of Diu after Portuguese treachery.
Ramjilal Dariyalal of Kutch went to Zanzibar as a slave trader but ended up becoming a liberator of slaves.
The famous passenger ship Haji Kasam’s Bijli sank near Mangrol, with the opposite shore visible — a story still told along the coast.
Ports like Kandla, Mundra, Veraval, Porbandar, and Mangrol, and beaches such as Mandvi, Shivrajpur, Ahmedpur Mandvi, Diu, Dandi, Tithal, and Umargam, make Gujarat’s shoreline both economically vital and naturally beautiful.
The jetties at Jakhau, Porbandar, Mangrol, Veraval, Jafrabad, Valsad, and Umargam are bustling with fishermen and their catch.
Jakhau EEZ
The coasts of Saurashtra are world-famous for pomfrets and lobsters, while species like dhole, bumla, and ribbonfish are caught in abundance.
In Jafrabad, fish drying on the land enriches the soil with minerals, making its millet (bajra) taste exceptionally delicious — so much so that even vegetarians relish it.
That year, Jakhau Port received the Government of India’s environmental clearance to be developed as an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — a major milestone.
Freshwater Fish
Among freshwater species, Rohu, Catla, and Mrigal dominate. Nature itself has designed their coexistence perfectly — each species living at a different depth level, ensuring ecological balance.
In the Narmada River, where seawater meets freshwater, the famous Hilsa is found, and Bharuch’s Tiger Prawns are a delicacy for seafood lovers. However, as per the Narmada Award agreement, fish harvesting from the Sardar Sarovar dam was still restricted.
That year, due to Jain community pressure, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel imposed a one-year ban on inland fishing — a decision that inadvertently benefited leaseholders who got easy profits.
Inland fishery contributes about 15–20% of total production compared to marine fisheries. Yet, daily truckloads of fish from Andhra Pradesh arrived in Ahmedabad markets.
Interestingly, although Gujarat ranked first in fish production in India, it stood behind Kerala in terms of the total value of fisheries.
The paradox remained: despite having an enormous coastline and abundant fish, the majority of Gujarat’s people are vegetarian, living with protein deficiency in a land full of protein-rich food!
Poor Fisherfolk
During my tenure in Junagadh, when I would pass near Prabhas Patan, the smell from trucks loaded with dried fish was unbearable. Now, as Fisheries Commissioner, I had to work closely with fish and fishermen — a test of my vegetarian resolve.
Gandhiji’s words echoed in my mind: “For fishermen, fish is their crop.”
Despite the richness of the coast, the economic condition of common fishermen was poor. A few who owned boats prospered, but like in agriculture, the major profits went to traders.
We focused on implementing fish farming and fisherfolk welfare schemes effectively, and curbing irregularities in their execution.
During monsoons, some fishermen risked venturing into the turbulent sea and perished in storms. We enforced the seasonal fishing ban more strictly and extended it by 15 days. Since breeding and spawning occur mainly during monsoon, this measure ultimately helped increase overall fish production.
Diesel Subsidy
At that time, motorized trawler boats were provided diesel at subsidized, tax-exempt rates by the government. Diesel was supplied directly from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to fishermen through GFFC (Gujarat Fisheries Central Cooperative) and other cooperative society fuel pumps at concessional prices. For this purpose, our district offices issued diesel cards, similar to ration cards.
Since there was a subsidy involved, complaints of misuse and theft were common. Some trawler owners also owned trucks — and they began diverting subsidized diesel meant for trawlers into their trucks. There were even cases of “ghost trawlers” — no real boats, only fake diesel cards being used to siphon off diesel.
I studied the issue thoroughly, discussed it with the GFFC president, and reviewed the entire operation. I visited Mangrol, Porbandar, and Veraval, met fishermen’s representatives, and devised a strategy to curb diesel theft.
Instead of supplying subsidized diesel directly on cards, we introduced a reimbursement scheme. Under this, boat owners had to first buy diesel at full price, then submit monthly bills and claims to the district office for reimbursement.
We linked each claim with the boat’s registration number, verifying every trawler individually. This brought strict control over diesel usage based on the trawler’s trip capacity and saved the government crores of rupees.
At first, those involved in malpractice raised a hue and cry — but we stood firm. The mission to eliminate irregularities succeeded, and with a single stroke of the pen, widespread misuse was stopped.
COFOPES Project
Around the same time, under a Government of India initiative, a French fisheries cooperative named COFOPES collaborated on an Inland Fisheries Development Project — one unit each in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
In Gujarat, a fish pond at Umarwada near Ankleshwar was selected for developing a hatchery project. The goal was to produce healthy fish seeds in the hatchery and later release them into ponds for cultivation.
However, under the guise of “technology transfer,” the project turned into a tourism opportunity for French experts. When their technology met Gujarati practicality, a mismatch occurred — and the project failed.
It reminded me of history — in the 18th century, Indian intellect matched that of the British, but mismatched with the French, which is why the British ruled India while the French had to leave.
The Wealth of Pomfret
Our Ratnakar Sea (Arabian Sea) is full of marine wealth, especially fish. Where India and Pakistan’s maritime borders meet, lies a rich treasure of pomfrets. One lucky catch in that zone could earn lakhs of rupees, so despite the risk of arrest, our fishermen often crossed into that boundary.
To control and alert them, we set up wireless communication systems and connected them with GPRS. Still, the temptation of pomfret and the pull of the sea were strong — they would often risk it.
When caught, they would spend six months to a year in Pakistani jails, and we had to arrange cash assistance for their families during that time. Since Pakistani fishermen were similarly captured by our forces, delegations from both countries periodically met to exchange and release imprisoned fishermen.
Over the years, however, the sea has been overexploited. Pomfrets once sold by the kilo are now sold by the gram, and lobsters and prawns have become scarce or even disappeared.
With the rising costs of marine fishing, fishermen have gradually shifted to prawn (shrimp) farming in coastal wastelands. Thanks to this, Gujarat now ranks first in the country in shrimp aquaculture.
However, during those earlier years, Gujarat was ranked first in total fish production — today, it stands second.
Protection of the Birds of Nal Sarovar
At that time, fishermen were being provided nylon fishing nets with 90% government subsidy. However, it came to light that fishermen around Nal Sarovar were using those nets to trap birds instead of fish. As soon as this was discovered, the subsidy for that region was immediately discontinued.
Later, in 2012, the Nal Sarovar Wetland received international recognition as a Ramsar Site for its ecological importance. To balance the withdrawal of subsidies, the government launched fishermen housing schemes in nearby villages such as Khathechi, Ranagadh, and Shahpur, ensuring that local fishing families still received developmental benefits.
Political Transition
In 2001, when the entire state administration was deeply engaged in earthquake relief and rehabilitation work, people naturally carried resentment against the government for the hardships caused by such a massive natural calamity.
During that time, by-elections were announced for the Sabarmati and Sabarkantha Assembly constituencies. The ruling party lost both seats, which strengthened the faction within the party opposing Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel.
A group of 21 MLAs signed a memorandum against him and sent it to the party high command in Delhi. Meetings were held there, and some of those who initiated the representation began to see themselves as potential successors to the Chief Minister’s chair. As their ambitions clashed, the party leadership decided to act firmly.
Amidst the internal tug-of-war — “If not me, then not him” — the leadership once again turned its attention to a Kutch MLA, just as it had in 1995. But this time, the name was not Sureshbhai, but rather Dhirubhai Shah, the Speaker of the Assembly.
Then came a surprise. The party high command selected Narendra Modi as the new leader and presented his name. It was a historic moment that would go on to reshape the future of Modi himself, Gujarat, and the entire nation.
He arrived at the Circuit House, Room No. 8, dressed simply in a half-sleeved kurta, traditional lengha, and slippers, carrying a long shoulder bag, and on 7 October 2001, he was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Later, Rajkot West MLA and Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala vacated his seat for Modi, enabling him to contest the February 2002 by-election. Around the same time, two other by-elections were held — in Vadodara and Surat.
When results were declared on 24 February 2002, the BJP won only the Rajkot seat, while losing the other two — marking the beginning of a new political chapter for both Modi and Gujarat.
The New Chief Minister
The new Chief Minister may have been new to the chair, but he was no stranger to the BJP organization — he had been active within the party since 1986. Even during Keshubhai Patel’s first government (1995), there were discussions among bureaucrats about his growing influence and potential role in governance.
I had first seen him on television in 1998, analyzing the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election results. Coincidentally, I was in Madhya Pradesh at that time, serving as an election observer. In that election, the BJP lost to the Congress by a margin of barely 1% votes, as in 1993, yet the strength of the party’s organization and the effectiveness of its campaign were remarkable.
That organizational model later helped the BJP win consecutive Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh — 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2023, as well as multiple Lok Sabha elections.
His organizational discipline, strategic clarity, and event management skills were widely praised, even by senior leader Lal Krishna Advani. He had an extraordinary ability to listen carefully and absorb ideas from others — a rare quality in politics.
Tragic Events
During his Rajkot by-election campaign, general elections were underway in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission had deputed me as Observer for the Baghpat Assembly constituency, so I was stationed there.
In the local newspapers, there was only a brief mention of kar sevaks returning from Gujarat after the Ayodhya movement. On 24 February, results of the UP elections were declared — Mayawati’s party came to power. The next day, 25 February, kar sevaks boarded the Sabarmati Express from Lucknow, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” on their return journey to Gujarat.
On the night of 26 February 2002, the train was running late. In the early hours of 27 February, as it halted briefly at Dahod, a minor altercation reportedly occurred between a tea vendor and a few passengers. The train resumed its journey and reached Godhra station around 7:45 AM. Another scuffle broke out there, tempers flared, and as the train began to move out, someone pulled the emergency chain near the signal cabin. The last coach, was still partially on the platform when stone pelting began, followed by an outbreak of fire in the compartment.
A total of 59 passengers — 27 women, 10 children, and 22 men — were burnt alive, and 48 others were injured.
The entire state of Gujarat was shaken. The day passed like a dark inferno, and by 28 February, communal riots erupted across the state in a wave of vengeance.
The VHP called for a statewide bandh, which gained widespread support. Violence spread rapidly, and curfews were imposed in 27 cities and towns.
Although the army was called in, the first three days saw extensive loss of life and property. Relief camps were set up for the displaced. Gujarat began returning to normalcy only by May 2002. The riots claimed 1,044 lives, with 223 missing and around 2,500 injured. Damage to homes, shops, and buildings ran into crores of rupees.
Personal Account During the Riots
I returned from my election duties in Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat. My wife, Laxmi, had gone to Danilimda, Ahmedabad, to attend some minor repairs at my father’s house. On 28 February, realizing the gravity of the situation, I rushed to Ahmedabad to bring her back.
The Danilimda area, located between Jamalpur and Shah Alam, was extremely sensitive. We personally witnessed the mobs, their violence, and the police response, before quietly leaving for Gandhinagar.
At that time, Ujjwal was studying at Vallabh Vidyanagar, and Dhawal was in Nadiad, staying at the Akshar Purushottam Hostel. We instructed both to remain there and allowed them to return home only three months later, in June 2002.
Political Developments After the Riots
The 10th Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections had earlier been held in February 1998, with Keshubhai Patel’s government sworn in on 4 March 1998. Its term was due to end around February–March 2003. However, after the riots, the government resigned, and preparations began for early elections, expected in June–July 2002.
At that time, Chief Election Commissioner J. M. Lyngdoh came under intense political pressure over the timing of the elections. He insisted on holding them only in December 2002, arguing that the situation needed full normalization. This delay gave the ruling party an extra six months for political mobilization.
Then, on 24 September 2002, tragedy struck again — the terrorist attack on the Akshardham Temple complex in Gandhinagar killed 31 innocent people. Though saints and volunteers had quickly shut the main temple and exhibition halls, one panicked woman standing near a door screamed and partly opened it, allowing the terrorists outside to fire indiscriminately, killing 31 and injuring many others.
The police and commandos arrived swiftly, and both terrorists were neutralized in the encounter.
By then, the electoral outcome was virtually written on the wall. In the December 2002 Assembly elections, under Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP won 127 out of 182 seats, securing a decisive mandate.
The victory chariot of Modi — and of Gujarat — had begun to roll forward, and nothing could stop it thereafter.
Transfer as MD in ST Corporation
My performance as Commissioner of Fisheries was recognized by the Government of India. Under JICA, the Ministry of Agriculture selected me for three weeks of training. During the final selection between two candidates, Ashok Saikia from the Prime Minister’s Office supported my name, and it was approved.
However, before I could leave for Japan, a major development that year led to my transfer. I was appointed as the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC), giving me a landmark opportunity to serve in a new capacity.
I took charge of Gujarat ST on 7 October 2002, the day marking one year of Chief Minister Modi’s leadership.
3 October 2025
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