Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Feb 8: “More than three lac fishers in five thousand mechanised boats have made fishing their main occupation. Though the minister belongs to fishermen's community here, his non-response to the problems faced by fishermen here is condemnable”, said a communique by the Fishermen's Federation for Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district.

“The state government set aside Rs 105 crores for diesel subsidy in the last budget, however, no subsidy has been released in the last four months. At present, fishing is completely stunted.

Fishers face several problems. Hence, the remaining amount of subsidy should be released immediately, and the difference of interest on loan lent to fisher-women at 2% interest should also be paid. If the payments are not made, the fisheries office will be locked and violent protests will be held, ” stated Udupi district BJP Chief secretary Yashpal Suvarna, the Udupi district fishermen federation convener Sadananda Balkooru, Dakshina Kannada district fishermen federation convener Shobhendra Sasihitlu, district panchayat member Raghavendra Kanchan, Shashikanth Padubidri, Udupi corporation member Vijaya Kundar, Kaup council member Vijaya Karkera, Kundapur taluk panchayat member Surendra Kharvi and others in a joint statement.