Fishermen call off strike, venture into sea
Fishermen using mechanised vessels (trawlers and purse-seine) in coastal Karnataka called off their strike on Thursday after holding massive protest rallies in Udupi and Mangaluru on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
“We will wait for a week or so to get the reaction from the government to our demands, including our opposition to direct benefit transfer (DBT) of subsidy, before chalking out further course of action,” said Nithin Kumar, President of Manglore Trawl Boat Meenugarara Sangha. Members cannot be made to endlessly wait on the shore and be deprived of their income, he said.
About 150 vessels from Mangaluru Bunder have left on Thursday and gradually all vessels would leave after filling with diesel and ice. There is shortage of ice too, Mr. Kumar said. Vessels would take at least a week to return to the shores, he added.
While the primary grouse is against DBT of subsidy, which hitherto was being reflected in subsidised rates of diesel at the rate of 300 litres per day per vessel, fishermen also have been demanding increase in the daily quota to 600 litres, abolition of the one ration card, one vessel rule and many more.
“We will wait for a week or so to get the reaction from the government to our demands, including our opposition to direct benefit transfer (DBT) of subsidy, before chalking out further course of action,” said Nithin Kumar, President of Manglore Trawl Boat Meenugarara Sangha. Members cannot be made to endlessly wait on the shore and be deprived of their income, he said.
About 150 vessels from Mangaluru Bunder have left on Thursday and gradually all vessels would leave after filling with diesel and ice. There is shortage of ice too, Mr. Kumar said. Vessels would take at least a week to return to the shores, he added.
While the primary grouse is against DBT of subsidy, which hitherto was being reflected in subsidised rates of diesel at the rate of 300 litres per day per vessel, fishermen also have been demanding increase in the daily quota to 600 litres, abolition of the one ration card, one vessel rule and many more.
- Published in Mangaluru