Mangaluru: The Karnataka Purse-Seine Meenugarara Sangha and the Mangalore Trawl Boat Meenugarara Sangha held a massive demonstration on Wednesday in support of their various demands, including continuation of sale of diesel at subsidised rates and increase in diesel quota from 300 litre to 600 litre per vessel per day.
Hundreds of fishermen depending upon mechanised fishing vessels (trawlers and purse-seine)took part in the protest. The protesters held a rally from Bunder to Clock Tower before assembling in front of the District Office for the protest meeting.
Purse-Seine association president Nithin Kumar told the protestors that the government had extended sales-tax exemption on diesel to promote the fishing industry 12 years back. The move had benefited the industry too. However, the government has introduced the direct benefit transfer system for subsidy payment, which the fishermen feel detrimental to their interests.
Mr. Kumar said a majority of mechanised vessels were owned jointly by many people and crediting the subsidy to one partner’s account would create unnecessary trouble. Therefore, the old system of selling diesel at subsidised prices directly from delivery points should continue, he demanded.
“It’s because of government patronage, the industry has grown, making quality food available to people and boosting the marine export”.
“Though the government had promised a meeting before the commencement of the fishing season, no meeting was held and hence fishermen have decided to boycott fishing”, Mr. Kumar added.
Karnataka Purse-Seine Fishermen’s Union president Umesh Karkera, Gillnet Fishermen Association president Ali Hasan, Trawl Boat Association president Naveen Bangera, and fishermen leaders Sathish Kotian and Vasudeva Boloor were present.
