Karnataka Coastal Traditional Fishermen Association comprising fishermen from Dakhshina Kannada, Utthara Kannada and Udupi districts led by Udupi MP Manorama Madhvaraj submitted an appeal letter to the Governor through Udupi DC P Hemalatha here on Thursday.
Urging to grant permission to install 25 HP engine for traditional boats venturing into the rough sea during rainy season, the letter expressed deep dissatisfaction regarding government’s recent decision to permit only 10 HP engines to the boats manufactured with fibred glass.
The request letter included the demand to immediately sanction the announced amount of kerosene with subsidy for the boats with outboard engines manufactured in the year 2007. Strongly condemning the government’s attitude supporting coal based thermal power projects and petrochemicals in the coastal belt, the letter said coastal areas are facing dire threat to the eco system and quoted the EIA report on increasing pollutants released to the sea causing drastic decrease in oxygen level from 5.5 to 3.5 in the sea damaging the marine species. Sea water has been receiving increasing level of mercury and cadmium, it added.
The appeal letter also demanded to waive off loans to fishermen and urged to sanction to loans with 4% interest in nationalized banks including cooperative banks. Relief money sanctioned for the family of the fisherman who looses his life on duty should be increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
The letter also demanded to extend the permission for traditional boats to harbour at Mangalore, Malpe and Gangolli as only mechanised boats are permitted to dock at the jatti.
Karnataka Coastal Traditional Fishermen Association Honorary President Upendra Hosabettu, President Sharath Guddekoppla, Janardhan Thingalaya, Dakshina Kannada President Vasanth Gujaran, Secretary Madhav Thingalaya were present.
Deputy Commissioner P Hemalatha assured to take into consideration all the demands mentioned in the appeal letter and clarified that an early decision had been taken regarding the invitees to March 17 meeting of the fishermen with Governor Advisor P P Prabhu in DC office, replying to the dissatisfaction raised by the members of association for not inviting the Karnataka Coastal Traditional Fishermen Association.
