Date:15/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/15/stories/2006021502001900.htm

Back AP Minister's assurance to Gangavaram fishermen

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam , Feb 14

THE agitating fishermen of Gangavaram have deferred their plan for laying siege to the Collectorate following a promise by the Minister for Fisheries, Mr Mohd. Fariduddin, to visit their village after the Visakha-I Assembly by-polls and apprise the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, of the need for suitable rehabilitation for all of them.

The agitation by the fishermen has affected the port works. The leaders of fishermen met the Minister on Monday night. Following the assurance, the plan for laying siege to the Collectorate on Thursday has been kept in abeyance.

However, fishermen under the aegis of Gangavaram Port Matsyakarula Aikya Vedika (GPMAV) will go ahead with their proposal to take out a rally from Gangavaram to Gajuwaka tomorrow.

The fishermen have been organising protest programmes for the past one week demanding construction of a fishing jetty at Nalamaralapatalu near Yarada hills, permanent means of livelihood to the affected families or payment of Rs 5 lakh as compensation to each family as part of a rehabilitation policy. Mr Rajeswara Rao, of the joint action committee, said they would press for a tripartite agreement. The Minister reportedly told the fishermen that the demands listed out by them before the district administration and Gangavaram port management should be discussed at the level of Chief Minister.

The D.V.S Raju and Company-led consortium is constructing the Gangavaram port and the project has achieved financial closure.