[Reader-list] Fwd: Coastal belt witnessing an innovative fund collection

[T Peter]

Coastal belt witnessing an innovative fund collection

By Arun Jayan | ENS - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Published: 25th September 2013 09:59 AM

Last Updated: 25th September 2013 09:59 AM



The state, which has seen many varieties of fund collection, including the
‘bucket collection’ of the Left parties, for different causes is witnessing
another innovative process of fund collection on its coastal belts.

It’s ‘Mathi’ and ‘Choora’ that are replacing money as Kerala Swathanthra
Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) is on a fund collection drive with a
tag line ‘contribute a fish’ in the coastal areas of the state for raising
working fund for the organisation.

“We are getting a good response from fish workers who are all happy to
contribute a part of their catch to the fund. The contribution varies from
a single fish to a basket of fish and we are carrying it out in all the
coastal areas of the state,’’ said president of Kerala Swathanthra Matsya
Thozhilali Federation T Peter.

The fish collected by the KSMTF are sold in the market and the money in
turn is deposited to the the fund.

“Sometimes, fish workers donate us the fish as they bring in the catch from
the sea and it is auctioned there itself. We are also getting money apart
from the fish donation. KSMTF has set a target of Rs one crore and we will
review the fund collection in another two months,’’ Peter said.

The fund, according to KSMTF, will be utilised for organising various
protests for the cause of the fishermen and for the welfare measure of the
fishing community.

“We need funds from time to time for organising various events for our
cause. The fish workers, both at the state and national-levels, are on a
protest path raising various demands which are being overlooked by the
State and the Central Governments,’’ he said.

National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) general secretary N Elango, from
Puducherry, said that the innovative way of fund collection started by the
KSMTF in Kerala would be replicated in other states.

“The way of collection of fund is an inspiration for other state units to
start fund collection in a similar manner.

“For Rs one crore, a fish’ is an attractive catchline for the fisherman for
whose cause we are fighting,’’ he said.