Mangalore: Members of Gillnet and traditional boat fishermen’s association laid siege at the office of the Deputy Director of Fisheries here on Monday demanding supply of subsidised kerosene.
Office-bearers of the Gillenet and Traditional Fishermen’s Association said that they are being denied subsidised kerosene since September and about 7.5 lakh fishermen and their families depended on them in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. They use kerosene as fuel to run the outboard engines of their mini boats used for fishing.
They said the office of the Deputy Director of Fisheries had informed them that Centre had instructed the State Government not to divert kerosene given by it to the Department of Food and Civil Supplies to fisheries. Hence the State was not in a position to accede to the demand of fishermen.
They pointed out, that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had, during his recent visit to the City, promised to help them, but they have had heard no positive news so far. The fishermen had met the District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai and other people’s representatives to no avail.
They said a massive protest would be organised on October 27 in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner at 11 a.m. to press their demand.
President of Karavali Traditional Fishing Association B.K. Vasudev, Chief Secretary of DK District Gillnet Association B.A. Basheer and Secretary of DK district Gillnet Association Subhash Chandra Mulihitlu were among others present.
