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Fisheries, Excise and Ports minister K Babu has urged the Centre to roll back a series of recent policies and decisions that could adversely affect the livelihoods of the fishing community in the state besides asking for the rejection of the Meena Kumari Commission report on fisheries.
Inaugurating the state-wide 'Livelihood Support Scheme for Fishermen' under the Integrated Development of Fishing Villages Scheme here, Babu expressed his dissatisfaction over the Centre's move to cut fund allocation for the development of basic amenities in coastal areas under the National Fisheries Development Board.
"Reduction in the allotment of kerosene from the central pool to 40 per cent from 90 per cent, is also a matter of concern. The Union government should restore the 75 per cent grant to harbour schemes and should not implement the Meena Kumari Commission report," he added.
He said the state government had taken the issue seriously and the chief minister would apprise the Prime Minister of the state's concern during his visit to the national capital.
Under Phase-I of Livelihood Support Scheme for fishermen, 1,940 beneficiaries would get a total assistance of Rs 7.70 crore. During the scheme's inauguration, 54 beneficiaries from Kumbalam and Udayamperur villages, in Ernakulam district, were handed over Rs 36,000 each as a grant for developing fishing units. The grant amounted to 90 per cent of the estimated cost of Rs 40,000 per unit.
The Kerala government has lined up projects worth Rs 530 crore for the development of coastal areas and to improve livelihoods of fishermen.
The integrated development of fishing villages scheme focuses on basic infrastructure development, provision of drinking water, sanitation, electrification, setting up of libraries and other livelihood support programmes.
