THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister seeks Central intervention to provide sufficient supply of superior kerosene for overcoming crisis in fisheries sector He said four per cent of the state’s population is directly engaged in fishing activities. The state’s fisheries sector contributes 15 per cent of total sea food exports in the country. The chief minister said the fisheries sector was in the grip of grave crisis. Scarcity of fuel used for fishing boats -Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), is one of the reasons for the present crisis. “Centre’s decision to cut kerosene quota of the state has led to this situation. Nearly 80 per cent of boats in the traditional fishing sector use SKO as fuel,” he said.
At the moment kerosene is being distributed through Matsyafed bunks and public distribution system outlets. Situation had come to such a pass that fishermen are not able to go for their daily work owing to shortage of fuel. To add to the problems of fishing community, the Centre had cut the kerosene quota from 2,525 kilotires to 1,500 kilo litre, he said. The chief minister said the fisheries sector would be able to come out of the present crisis only if Centre restored the kerosene quota. The Centre should ensure the kerosene supply to all 13 bunks run by Matsyafed. Pinarayi said the crisis had been brought to the notice of the Centre. “We hope the Centre will respond positively and take urgent steps,” he said.
