Electronic I-cards for fishermen soon Date:10/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/10/stories/2009011051710500.htm
Ignatius Pereira Project to be implemented in coordination with Home Department ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- It is to be funded by the Centre Fishermen's union welcomes move ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- KOLLAM: The State government will soon issue electronic identity cards (e-cards) to seafaring fishermen in the State. Fisheries director P.I. Sheik Pareeth told The Hindu here on Friday that e-cards were being issued in the larger interests of national security. The cards will also provide a sense of security to fishermen in the high seas when they prove their identity to coastal and sea protection agencies. It would help prevent unnecessary harassment of fishermen at sea, Mr. Pareeth said. Cards to cost Rs.40 He said about 1.25 lakh e-cards would be issued to fishermen under the project, to be implemented in coordination with the Home Department. The card will contain details about its holder and will cost Rs.40 each. The project is being funded by the Government of India, he said. Mr. Pareeth said Kerala would become the first coastal State in the country to issue e-cards to fishermen. It will be made mandatory for seafaring fishermen to carry the cards. The cards will complement the proposed high security registration number plates for all fishing vessels registered in the State. He said it would be made mandatory for fishermen from other States entering the Kerala waters to take permits to be issued by the Fisheries Department for a specified period. Those seeking such permits should have a local sponsor from the fishing community, preferably with an E-card identity. The Kerala Swatanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation has welcomed the move to introduce e-cards. T. Peter, State president of the Federation, said the fishermen's community had, in fact, been asking for such an identity for long. This was also raised as a request at a recent meeting called by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, with representatives of the fishing community on cooperation pertaining to coastal security, he said. In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the high seas have been brought under strict vigil and combing operations by security agencies. In such a situation, the e-cards would be of immense help to fishermen to establish their bona fides, Mr. Peter said adding that it was good move that would help bring about better cooperation between the security agencies and fishermen towards ensuring coastal security. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
