Khammam: The plan to economically strengthen fishermen by extending logistical support and providing them with fish seeds free of cost has taken a hit because of the interference of political leaders. Case in point is that of the Pedamandava Fishermen’s Cooperative Society in Mudigonda mandal. The tank in Pedamandava, which is spread over 200 acres, is the primary source of sustenance for the 250 fishermen of Pedamandava and Mallaram villages. The tank has adequate water as it is supplied by the NSP Canal.
Officials dropped lakhs of fish seeds in the tank, and they were growing well. The fishermen were expected to reap the benefits if everything went as planned. However, the interference of political leaders disrupted those plans. With an eye on the wealth in the tank, local politicians colluded with aqua contractors from Andhra Pradesh and lured members of the fishermen’s society into giving up their fishing rights. Some members of the society were also involved in the gambit.
A government official whose father is a member of the society had a key role to play in it. Fishing rights were given to contractors such as Vijaykumar Raju, his brother-in-law, Satyaraj, Srinu, and Ramu, all of whom are natives of Kaikalur in AP. According to sources, the contract has been handed over for Rs 30 lakh, though the value of the fish in the tank is in crores of rupees.
When members of the society and residents of Mallaram village went to the tank to fish on Sunday, the contractors’ hired labourers sent them back home. Boina Satyanarayana, one of the fishermen, said that the labourers used filthy language against them. “Massive sums changed hands in the deal which was finalised in violation of all rules,” he said. The leaders plan to give members of the society a share of the money made from the contract, but that is only a fraction of what the fishermen would have earned through the sale of fish from the tank. Meanwhile, the contractors have started transporting the fish to Kolkata, where the demand for them is high.
