Kollam: Fishermen community under the banner of Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation has demanded constitution of an independent fisheries ministry at the Center. The fisheries sector currently under the agriculture department failed to provide them with Central funds, they alleged.
“The Modi Government had earlier announced in budget the formation of a fisheries department at the Center which is insufficient in the case of fisheries sector. In ten coastal and other inland states, there are some thirty million people making a living out of fishing and associated activities,” Jackson Pollayil, federation’s state president, told DC.
Now this sector has been included under the agriculture sector. However, they are denied central aid allocated to the agriculture sector. For the integral development and welfare of fishermen community, a separate ministry is required, Mr Jackson added.
The federation also raises concern over the recent Costal Regulation Zone notification which is likely to affect the livelihood of fishermen. The recent norms also affect the housing programmes for fishermen while at the same time permitting outsiders to initiate construction works just 50 meters from the seashore.
“This also affects the coastal ecosystem,” he said.
The community’s demand is to ban other constructions within at least 500 meters from the shore, preserving the ecosystem and avoiding sea pollution.
The fishermen demand that the CRZ 1991 and 2011 amendments be considered. They sought rejection of 2018 notification. The draft CRZ 2018 notification has allegedly removed safeguards adversely affecting the community.
