Mangalore: Fishermen See Red at Minister Asnotikar's Remarks

TNN

Mangalore, Jul 25: Coastal Karnataka Fishermen Action Committee has expressed its resentment over statements of fisheries minister Anand Asnotikar that fishermen from Mangalore were in support of coal-based power plants.

In a release, Committee general secretary Vasudeva Boloor said the minister should remember that fishermen from the undivided DK district were in the forefront of the movement against coal-based power plant in Padubidri.

Pointing to the harm being caused to the environment from coal-based power plants, he said there was no question of supporting setting up coal-based power in the coastal region as effluents and flying ash from the plants would flow to the sea and destroy marine life. This would also result in fish famine in the near future, he said.

Reminding about the assurance of undertaking the carrying capacity study before allowing setting up heavy industries in the coastal region, made by the state government during a meeting held in Bangalore in connection with the movement against the Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemical Limited (MRPL) in the early 90s, Boloor said the government has failed to keep its promise and has allowed hazardous industries into the district.

The fishermen of the district would oppose tooth and nail the proposed coal- based power plants at Tadadi and Hanakona in Uttara Kannada district. The National Fishermen's Federation (NFF), Akhila Karnataka Meenugarara Parishat and the Committee would extend full support to the movement against setting up of coal-based power plants in Tadadi and Hanakona. Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation chairman Ramachandar Bykampady too has expressed support to the cause, he said.