Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding The Problems Being Faced By Fishermen Due To Reported Decision To Ban ... on 6 May, 2015
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding the problems being faced by fishermen due to reported decision to ban fishing in sea for two months .
SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMCHANDRAN (VADAKARA): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I am raising a very important issue relating to the livelihood and existence of lakhs of fishermen along the long coastal areas of our country.
They are deeply agitated over the recommendations of the Meena Kumari Committee for revision of guidelines relating to deep sea fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone. We, the MPs from coastal States regardless of political affiliations, have raised our voice inside and outside the Parliament against these recommendations. Not only that, various fishermen organizations also launched a march to the Parliament and agitations at other various places.
The recommendations, if implemented, would result in selling out our rich marine resources to the Indian and foreign corporates depriving the fishermen of their only source of livelihood.
Sir, the free and unregulated movement of foreign vessels into the Indian waters would definitely endanger the safety and security of our country also.
On your direction, the other day we had met the Minister of Agriculture. He convened a meeting. We MPs from the coastal States, in fact, had a discussion with him. But no solution, so far, has been found out in the matter.
Sir, it is extremely distressing to note that the promises given by the Minister are not being honoured. Yesterday it was discussed threadbare. The latest decision to impose an unusual ban on fishing for two months together during the monsoon, has worsened the situation.
I would, therefore, urge upon the Government to immediately convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the coastal States and all the stakeholders before taking a final decision in the matter.
HON. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri N.K. Premachandran is permitted to associate with the issue raised by Shri Mullappally Ramchandran.