Fishermen demand rational security

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, July 11, 2015  :  Forwarding memoranda to Prime Minister and Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner, District Fisherman and Fish Labourers Association (affiliated to CITU) President K Shankar alleged that the government is making the life of the fishermen miserable through various rules and regulations.

The District Fishermen and Fish Labourers Association affiliated to CITU staged a protest rally here before DC Office demanding livelihood security to the fishermen who risk their lives in sea for the trade.

The CRZ norms are a great hurdle to the lives of  fishing communities.

  He alleged the recommendations made in the Meenakumari report looking into the licensing for the deep sea fishing trade would be detrimental to the fishermen community. He said the fishermen are unable to repair their houses following CRZ norms.

Association President urged that the government should hike the budgetary allocations made for the fishing sector. He called for the formulation of the central policy supporting the minimum wages, social security and work roster for the fishermen.

He urged that the recommendations made in the Murari report should be imposed on the foreign fishing boats. He said the foreign vessels fishing in Indian water should be banned. The recommendations made in the Meenakumari report should be rejected.   The government should take measures to eradicate the problems posing threat to the fishing community in the name of CRZ norms. The fishermen should be given BPL cards forthwith.

He said the State government should initiate actions to release sufficient amount of kerosene to support the traditional fishing. The government should immediately distribute the lands to the homeless fishermen and should support them with neded assistance.  The fishermen Welfare Board should be set up, through which the community should be extended financial help in times of distress.

He sought permanent sea wall should be built in the coastal belt of State similar to that of Kerala model. He urged that the fishermen aged above 55 should be given a pension. They should be supported with free ration during the ban holidays on fishing. They should be given Rs 3 lakh compensation in the event of  death at work.