Chennai: A bill to amend the TN fishermen and labourers engaged in fishing and other allied activities (social security and welfare) Act, 2007, was introduced in the assembly on Thursday.
Introducing the bill, fisheries minister K. A. Jayapal said a clause (VI) of sub-section (4) of section 9 of the said Act, would be amended to include the fisheries department to collect contribution for the social security and welfare of the fishermen fund. A contribution of five per cent of the lease amount for fishing collected by the respective authorities in revenue, hindu religious and charitable endowments, public works and forest departments and local authorities is collected towards this fund established under the Act.
Since the fisheries department is also leasing out the water bodies under its control for fishing, the department would be included to collect the contribution. TN Fishermen Welfare Board had by its resolution urged the government to amend the Act to include the fisheries department.
