[Reader-list] Fish workers to launch agitation

[T Peter]

Fish workers to launch agitation
Date:20/10/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/20/stories/2008102050360200.htm
Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fish workers under the banner of the National Fish
Workers' Forum and the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation
would launch a nation-wide agitation in protest against the neglect
shown by the Central and State governments to the community.

This was announced at a press conference here on Friday by State
president of the federation T. Peter.

While a dharna would be held in front of the Secretariat on October
23, a satyagraha would be held in front of the Parliament in Delhi
from November 4 to 7.

CRZ law

On the other the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) law of 1991 contained
provisions to protect the traditional rights of the fishermen
community.

The inclusion of 12 nautical miles of sea in the notification has
caused anxiety in the community.

This can only lead to the handing over of coastal areas to monopolies
in the model of the Special Economic Zones. This, in turn, will lead
to a denial of fishing rights to the community and to large scale
sand-mining.

The said notification has a provision to allow tourism and industrial
activity on the seaward side of the coastal setback line. However
construction of houses for fishermen would not be allowed in this
land.

This cannot be accepted by the community. Hundreds of foreign vessels
fish off the Indian coast daily. As these vessels take away many
varieties of fish including species that are exported, these fish are
not available to traditional fishermen. Even fish that was commonly
available in this season is not available now, Mr. Peter said.

'Not implemented'

Even though the State government has announced several welfare
measures for the community it has not implemented any of these.

Debt relief and insurance for fishermen remain on paper.

The distribution of interest-free loans to women of the community is
yet to commence. Moreover, this is for the second time in three months
that the government has slashed the quota of kerosene for fishermen.

It is in such a situation that fishermen have decided to launch the
nation-wide agitation, he added.