In troubled waters for dwindling catch, displacement and vagaries of nature, fishermen in Visakhapatnam have urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to come to their rescue by forming a separate department for fisheries.
“At present we are clubbed with the Department of Animal Husbandry and for everything we depend on the officials of Animal Husbandry. If a separate department is formed, we will have quick decision-making and prompt release of funds,” AP Mechanised Boat Operators’ Welfare Association president P.Ch. Appa Rao said on Wednesday.
He said after bifurcation, residuary State of Andhra Pradesh was left with 13 districts of which nine were located on the coast. He sought Maritime Board to develop the coastal areas without causing any displacement and affecting livelihood of 70 lakh fishermen who eke out a living by fishing.
Demanding ST status, Mr. Rao said as of now fishermen had been recognised as backward class. As several castes had been included in BC, fishermen were not able to utilise any benefits, he said. He said if separate department was created, they would have their principal secretary and commissioner. “Fishermen like farmers do supply nutritious food and also contribute to earning of foreign exchange. Hence, fishing should be granted agriculture status,” he said.
