Fishermen’s federation presents charter of demand to the chief minister

Report and Pictures by - Prakash Katapadi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 11 February 2010: The representatives of the Fishermen’s federation of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts jointly presented their charter of demands to the Chief Minister of Karnataka  B.S. Yeddyurappa at his residence‘Krishna’ in the last week.

The demands of the Fishermen’s  Federation are: increase in the subsidised quota of diesel for the trawlers. Presently, the government supplies 75,000 kilolitres of diesel which falls short by 15,000 kilolitres.  The CM promised to the Federation that he will see to it that in the next state budget on lakh kilolitres of subsidised diesel would be provided.

On the demand on the completion of the third stage of the development of the Malpe port, the CM gave an assurance that the project would be taken up seriously and will be completed as early as possible.

The Federation also made a  demand that the government should  provide 25 crores of rupees which could be given as loan at three percent interest to the enterprising fishermen to expand their business; Rs.25,000 loan to fisherwomen on easy terms to help them to be self reliant; financial help from the government for the construction of their own buildings for the Karavali Fishermen’s Cooperatives; concession in electricity charges for the refrigeration for preserving fresh fish; provision of up to 400 litres of kerosene to the country boats of the small scale fishermen; financial help for the small scale fishermen to purchase nets; relaxation of CRZ rules in favour of the fishermen and prevention of large scale projects such as the Nagarjuna which cause harm to the fishing community and their interests.

The Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa gave an assurance to the representatives of the Fishermen’s Federation that he would look into their demands and make necessary provision in the next years (2010-2011) budget wherever possible.

While the representatives of the Fishermen’s Federation presented the charter of demands to the CM the following were also present: Home Minister Dr. V.S. Acharya, Minister of Fisheries Mr. Krishna J. Palemar, MAL of Udupi K. Gaghupati Bhat, federation of the Fishermen’s President Yashpal Suvarna, President of the Malpe Fishermen’s Union Hiriaynna Kidiyur, President of Udupi Taluk Fisherwowmen’s  Union Mrs. Baby Salian and others.