Mangaluru :  The National Fishworkers Forum  organised  a ten-day boat rally  from Mangaluru to Thiruvanathapuram  against the Meena Kumari report was flagged off at old port (Bunder) here on Friday nov 21.

Speaking after flagging off the rally , Medha Patkar said the report prohibits Indian trawlers fishing in waters of depths 200 to 500m, while allowing foreign boats to fish in Indian waters.

She lambasted the BJP-led Union Government for its “anti-people, pro-corporate” policies. Citing the proposals to change the environmental laws, coastal regulatory laws, labour laws, land acquisition act, dilution of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme among others.

Medha said only a mass people’s agitation can stop the “selling of resources in the country”. 

Murari Committee was formed by the UPA government because of the pressure put by the fishermen,Then the Committee was neglected and Dr Meenakumari Committee was formed.

The seven-member Meenakumari Committee had submitted its report in August and that report says included deploying 1,178 deep-sea vessels including existing ones, and an additional 270 vessels comprising 240 tuna long-liners, 15 squid jiggers and 15 purseiner boats in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I know that the fishermen are not fool like Meenalkumari, she added. 

Minister for youth, sports and fisheries, Abhayachandra Jain assured he look all needs and to protect the rights of the fishermen.  He ask the central and the state government  to courage the fishing community and get  their rights. 

Vasudeva Boloor, vice-president of National Fish workers Forum said the union government promised  to the fishing community,  creation of a separate Ministry for Fisheries and subsidized kerosene for country boats.  There are a few people who are below poverty line who do not have a machine boat are getting subsidized kerosene, he said.

T Peter, national secretary of NFF  also Spoke. 

The rally will reach the Kerala capital on November 30, after stopping in the major harbours of the South West coastline. The Forum has also demanded a separate ministry for fisheries, subsidised kerosene for traditional boats, removal of excise duty and road tax on diesel used by fishing trawlers.