Candidates should specify stance: KSMTF Date:31/03/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/31/stories/2009033151000200.htm THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Fish Workers’ Forum and the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) have urged the candidates in the Lok Sabha elections to make their stand clear on the problems faced by the fisheries sector. At a press conference here, KSMTF State president T. Peter said successive governments at the Centre had failed to address threats to the livelihood security of traditional fish workers. The federation had stressed the need for a fisheries policy and a separate ministry for fisheries. It had also been demanding a ban on import of fish and operation of foreign trawlers in Indian waters as well as a reduction in the tax on outboard engines, he said. Mr. Peter also highlighted the demand for adequate supply of kerosene at reduced rates for fishing boats.
Other demands include scrapping the move to replace the Coastal Regulation Zone with the Coastal Management Programme and writing off the loans availed by fish workers and fish vendors. Mr. Peter said a memorandum including these demands would be submitted to mainstream political parties and candidates in the fray in coastal states. He added that fish workers would decide to cast their votes on the basis of the stand adopted by the candidates. . — Special Correspondent --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
