The Government should not allow the privately operated Gangavaram Port here to take up expansion under Phase-II of the project till it honours the agreement it reached with the displaced persons, Greater Visakha City unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded.
The port that was established 10 years ago under Private-Public Partnership has not fulfilled its commitment on employment and sustainable livelihood to the displaced fisherfolk of Gangavaram and Dibbapalem villages till date, CPI(M) City unit secretary B Ganga Rao said at a media conference here on Wednesday. He urged the State government to withdraw G.O. No 7 of October 31 issued to enable the Port to expand its handling capacity from 17.55 MT to 41 MT.
Among the unfulfilled promises are jetty for fisherfolk and employment in the Port for displaced persons, Mr. B Ganga Rao said. Following protests by displaced persons demanding that the promises be kept, the port authorities are behaving in a vengeful manner against the few who got employment under displaced persons quota, he said.
These employees have not been given increments and are under constant threat of losing their jobs, which goes against the spirit of the agreement to provide security to the displaced persons, he added.
The CPI(M) City unit demanded that the package promised as part of the agreement reached between the port management and the fisherfolk be implemented in full.
A jetty to be built to help the fisherfolk resume their traditional livelihood. Out of the 600 jobs promised only 92 had been given, the balance must be given right away.
The 1,350 families dependent on fishing and sale of fish were promised a monthly compensation of Rs. 2,000, which was not given so far must be given immediately, the Left party leaders demanded.
