Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 16 Nov 2021
Fishermen under the banner of Sri Shivmankini Matha Matsya Parishramika Sangam staged a dharna outside the premises of Directorate of Fisheries, Port Blair to press for their unsettled demands.
The three major demands placed by the protesting fishermen included (1) Construction of Jetty for fishermen community at Dugnabad area. (2) Release of Subsidy amount for purchase of life-saving equipment (GPS, Fish Finders and DAT). (3) Issuing permit to the fishermen of South Andaman to carry out fishing in North and Middle Andaman District by passing through Baratang Creek.
The Director of Fisheries furnished point wise action taken report by the department on the demands of the protesting fishermen.
On the issue of the construction of jetty for fishermen community at Dugnabad area the Director in his reply informed that the CICEF, Bengaluru in consultation with ALHW has proposed for jetty with breakwater but was not found feasible. He added that as an alternative under the Sagarmala Programme of Ministry of Shipping, a study by IIT, Chennai is under progress for the construction of a concrete floating jetty at Dugnabad and that the department is in constant touch with ALHW.
The Director also informed that the sloping ramp constructed at Choulanga Wharf have been taken over from ALHW and it is under process for handing over the facility for use by the fishermen community. He added that the department has also sent a letter to the Tehsildar for eviction of temporary shelter erected on the way for smooth movement of the vehicle.
On the issue of release of subsidy amount for purchase of Life Saving Equipment, the Director in his reply informed that the Department has taken up the matter with Police Station, Aberdeen on receipt of the report from RCS Department. He further mentioned that the matter is under investigation by the Police Department.
On the issue of Issuing permit to the fishermen of South Andaman to carry out fishing in North and Middle Andaman District by passing through Baratang Creek, the Director informed that the matter has been pursued with the Tribal Department, DC, N & M Andaman and also with the Police on various occasions. He further informed that letter has been sent to DC, N & M Andaman and the department will again take up the matter with the appropriate authority at a higher level. He added that suitable action is awaited from DC, N & M Andaman.
The fishermen after getting the written action taken report from the Director of Fisheries called off their dharna.