Fishermen associations and social organisations on Monday started on a rally from Neerodi in Kanniyakumari district to Chennai protesting against GST that has led to hike in price of fishing equipment, Enayam project and the proposed amendments in CRZ Act here on Monday.
The rally was flagged off by Most Rev. Arch Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram M. Soosa Pakiam after a brief meeting at Neerodi.
Jasiah Joseph, Coordinator, People’s Movement Against Enayam International Container Transhipment Terminal (EICTT) told The Hindu that the rally was organised by various organizations working for the welfare of the fish workers.
He said that the protest rally was organised to urge the government to withdraw the additional tax on fishing equipment following the implementation of the GST. He pointed out that this had affected the livelihood of fishermen who were wholly dependent on this profession. The tax on ice box has increased to 18% from 14.5%. Similarly, the GST on fishing rod, net rope etc., have also gone up from 12% to 18%. The outboard agent tax was up from 14% to 28%.
The fishermen also opposed the proposed Enayam port project and also the proposed amendments in the Coastal Regulation Zone. A strong lobby was behind the amendments in CRZ Act, Mr. Jasiah said.
“The recent draft of the Marine Coastal Regulation Zone notification, which is currently not available to the public should be immediately put out for consultation and review and the community's views should be given priority. The recently gazetted National Marine Fisheries Policy (NMFP) should be withdrawn as the fishermen’s suggestions were not incorporated in the final policy document,” Mr. Jasiah added.
At the start of the rally, Arch Bishop Soosa Pakiam handed over the flag to Jasiah Joseph, T. Peter, General Secretary, National Fishworkers Forum, Jesu Ratnam, Convenor, Coastal Action Network.
A public meeting was also held at Enayam. The meeting was presided over by Fr. Maria Alphonse Vicar General, Kuzhithurai RC Diocese.
Members of the People's Movement against EICTT, National Fishworkers Forum, Coastal Action Network, Aazhkadal Meenpidi Thozhilaalar Sangam, Vangakadal Meenpidi Thozhilaalar Sangam, Ramanathapuram Fishworkers Trade Union (RFTU), National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM) and People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) had jointly called for the protest rally.
The rally will conclude at Chennai on July 27 with a meeting highlighting the issues along the coastline of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Jasiah said.
