Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 4: A delegation representing Malpe Fishermen's Association, led by local MLA K Raghupati Bhat and Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, met chief minister (CM) H D Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru and presented a memorandum listing out demands of fishermen relating to Malpe port in particular and coastal Karnataka in general.
The delegation met the CM at his home office, 'Krishna', spelt out their various demands. They sought the annual subsidized diesel quota from the current 1.5 lac kilo litres to two lac kilo litres. They mentioned that the fishermen have not received the tax refunds they used to get from tax free diesel delivery points since the last two years. They also demanded to hike the monthly kerosene quota for permit holders to 400 litres per month. Their other demand was to increase the loan quantum being granted to fisherwomen's self help groups to one lac rupees and also to make the loans interest-free.
They demanded to waive loans raised by fishermen and wanted the maintenance work of the slipway at Malpe port to be entrusted to fishermen's association. They sought permission from the ministry of ports to construct jetty at Malpe Padukere. They sought earmarking of Rs 20 crore grant for the integrated development of Malpe port.
MLAs D Vedavyas Kamath, Umanath Kotian, B M Sukumar Shetty and Roopali Santosh Nayak were members of the delegation.