Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Oct 27: “Fishermen will stage protests in front of the offices of deputy commissioners at Udupi, Mangaluru and Karwar on November 7, if subsidy for kerosene that was due to us is not released,” said Karnataka Traditional Boat Fishermen's Federation president Ananda Kharvi Uppunda.

Speaking in a press conference at Uppunda on October 27, he said that several requests made by them for kerosene through the MP and the minister were futile. “Fishermen are on the roads as the kerosene oil is not released for the last three months. The matter was brought to the notice of the government through Nalin Kumar Kateel and B Y Raghavendra but the government’s response was zero,” he said.

Federation honorary president Navin Chandra Uppunda urged that the kerosene subsidy should be released immediately. “The 50% subsidy to fishermen from the year 2016-17 should also be released immediately. Rs 120 crores should be tabled for 8,140 permits in the coast,” he urged.

Federation secretary Gopal R K, honorary advisor Chandrakanth Karkera, organizing Secretary Yashwanth Kharvi Gangolli, Ashwath Kanchan Mangaluru, Krishna Harikanth Murdeshwar, vice president Vikram Salian Malpe, Vasanth Suvarna, Sathish Kunder and treasurer Purandara Kotian were present.