The Fishing Community Demand Coastal Area Rights A State Level Dharna was conducted on 18th June 2007 by the KSMTF in front of the Government Secretariat in Trivandrum demanding the government to stop the move to double the amount of contribution from the fish workers to the welfare fund. The fishing community also demanded to stop the facilitation of the state government's legislation to allow large fishing vessels with the banned nets during the trawl ban seasons. The state government's legislation, the protested asserted, is a naked violation of the supreme courts order of Trowel ban.
The dharma was inaugurated by Mr. T. Peter, State President, and KSMTF. In his inaugural speech, he said that the government is liable to protect the traditional small-scale fishing community. However, with the legislation today, the government is trying to protect the large scale fishing industry only. Peter demanded that the increased input from the fish workers to the welfare board has to be reverted immediately. The Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister must take immediate steps to knock down the tourist resorts occupying the sea shore and the inland waters. According to the agitators, the sea shore and backwaters should be made available for use of the common purposes of the fishing community and fish workers. The original CRZ norms have to be strictly implemented and all violations have to be removed from the coast, he said. A. Andrews, General Secretary, Valerian Isaac, Anto Elias, John J.P, S. Joseph, M. Amborse, Elizabeth Antony, Freeska Kurishappan, Girly John, Jancila Antony, R. Joseph Lopez, Patrice Fernandez, S. James, Everesta Jose and J. Jerome also delivered their presentations on the above said issues. Before the Dharna started, hundreds of fish workers gathered near Palayam Martyrdom Tower and came to the Secretariat as a rally. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
