Fishermen\'s body demands Rs 5,000 cr allotment in budget

Warangal: Telangana Matsya Karmika Sangam (TMKS) demanded that all political parties to include its demand in their manifesto for allotment of '5,000 crore in the budget every year for the welfare of the fishermen community in the state.

The TMKS on Saturday released a poster of ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ programme to be held on October 3, at the fish market in Kumarpally.

State general-secretary of the Sangam Godugu Venkat said that lakhs of people in the state, who were dependent on fish farming, were facing several problems due to lack of proper support from the government.

Whichever party will form the government must give full rights to the fishermen's societies on lakes and tanks along with implementing all types of welfare schemes and loans of '10 lakh to each society with 90 per cent subsidy, be sanctioned, he demanded.

The Sangam also demanded Rs 5 lakh financial aid, free distribution of fish and prawn seeds of various varieties to societies and a pension of Rs 5,000 to fishermen who cross 50 years of age and an ex gratia of ' One lakh to next to the kin of deceased fishermen.

It wanted the government to build permanent wholesale and retail fish markets and community buildings in every mandal headquarters.

Venkat said ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ programme would be held on October 3 at Matsya Bhavan in Hyderabad, to put forth their demands to all political parties. TMKS district president N. Vijendar and other members were present.