Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Aug 29: “The state government has deprived us of our livelihood by banning fishing activity through country boats. Our families have therefore, been forced to sleep on empty stomachs,” said fishermen from here to minister of urban development, U T Khader on Tuesday, August 28.
Khader, who had come here to visit Kodi area for undertaking election campaign for the municipal council election, had visited the breakwater area.
“Permission for fishing at night by using lights has effectively put to an end to fishing through small boats. We can live even if country boats are permitted for three months in a year. But the government does not allow fishermen to live. BJP and Congress do not listen to grievances of poor fishermen. It is said that a meeting in this connection will be held on September 3 at Bengaluru. Decisions that are useful for fishermen should be taken there. Wooden mound, that has created a problem for sailing of boats, should be removed,” they urged.
Member of Legislative Council, Pratapchandra Shetty, said that he had taken part in the meeting held in the office of the deputy commissioner recently. “There were two groups of fishermen there. They were asked to end their differences. No meetings have been held after that,” he said.
Fishermen present there requested the dignitaries to hold a joint meeting of country boat fishermen, trawl boats and fishermen fishing with lights. Khader assured that he will speak to officials of port and fisheries department in this connection.
Minister embarrassed
When fishermen spoke against the government in the presence of media, other leaders and activists, the minster was visibly embarrassed. Fishermen said that elected representatives think of people only when elections approach. “They do not come to see us after that,” they said in anguish.
“MLC Pratapchandra Shetty had constructed a breakwater here. He used to visit us then. But he is not to be seen now-a-days,” alleged the fishermen.
Centre is not pro-people
“Union government is not pro-people. No discussions are held in the Lok Sabha about the welfare of farmers, fishermen, education or employment to youth,” said Khader.
“If there is a proposal through the deputy commissioner to upgrade any gram panchayat, it will be considered on the basis of population. Congress will come back to power in Kundapur municipal council. As Congress has provided drinking water and implemented underground drainage project here, people will support Congress,” Khader stated.
When people said that drainage work is not completed, he said that amount needed for the same will be released soon after land acquisition is over and the work will be completed.
MLC, Pratapchandra Shetty, KPCC member secretary G A Bava, INTUC state president, Rakesh Malli, district Congress president, Janardhana Thonse, block Congress president, Malyady Shivarama Shetty, urban development authority former chairman, Vikas Hegde, municipal councillor, Prabhakar Kodi and others were present.