Expressing dissatisfaction at the poor allocation for the fishing community in the Union Budget and the alleged neglect of the sector, members of the community under the banner of the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) will take out a march to Parliament on April 22 raising their demands.
T. Peter, national secretary, said in a statement here on Saturday that the decision was taken at a meeting of NFF office-bearers at Mangalore on Friday. “This year’s budget has slashed the allocation for the sector by Rs.10.16 crore compared to the previous year’s budget.”
Mr. Peter said Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections last year had stated that demands of the fisher community, including a fisheries ministry, would be met if the BJP came to power. But the sector was neglected in the budget, he said.
Mr. Peter said considering the fact that the fisheries sector was providing 0.7 per cent of the GDP, the proportional allocation to the sector, both Plan and non-Plan, should be not less than Rs.12,000 crore. “Only if there is a separate ministry can such demands be justifiably met,” he said.
During the march, the NFF would also demand scrapping of the controversial recommendations of the Meenakumari panel report. The meeting was presided over by M. Ilango, NFF chairman.
