Plea to improve plight of fishermen

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 14.

The Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee has urged the State and Central Governments to take immediate steps to put an end to the neglect meted out towards fishermen and also for the speedy implementation of welfare schemes.

Speaking at a press conference here today, the chairman of the committee, Mr. V. Dinakaran, said the Union Government had not taken any positive step for banning the import of as many as 20 varieties of fish. The import would prove to be dangerous for the fishermen in the long run, he added.

Though the State Government had approved the Fisheries policy in 1994, it had not been implemented so far. The Government should hold discussions with representatives of various organisations in the respective sectors and take steps for their speedy implementation, he added.

Mr. Dinakaran urged the Government to take immediate steps for raising financial assistance under the free housing scheme from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 and for the implementation of the Coastal Area Development Authority as per the C. Chandran report submitted to the State Government in 1996.

The Committee has urged the Government to take steps for rejecting the Abraham Committee report and to reconsider the Government decision to hand over fishing harbours to private individuals and organisations. The committee has urged the Union Government to cancel the permit issued to foreign factory ships and to take steps for protecting sea wealth.

Mr. Dinakaran said that fishermen would launch strong protests if the Union and State Governments failed to take necessary steps for the welfare of the fishermen community.

The general convenor, Mr. V.V. Sasindran, attended the press conference.

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Section  : Southern States
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