Phailin cyclone-hit marine fishermen of Ganjam district in Odisha alleged that the subsidised boats and motor engines they had received from the government are preventing them from getting included as beneficiary under the Food Security Act.
According to B. Jogamata, recently they came to know that fishermen who have been provided motorised boats by the government would not be eligible for ration cards under the Food Security Act. Earlier most fishermen had wooden country boats. Most of their boats and nets got damaged during the devastating Phailin cyclone of 2013.
These fishermen were provided fibre boats as well as motor engines at subsidised rates by the government. Most of these boats were fitted with 10 HP motor engines. “The fishermen were from BPL category and were getting benefits meant for the poor. It is an irony that the motorised boats have taken away our right to get included in the Food Security Act scheme meant for the poor,” said another fisherman A. Sanyasi.
These fishermen also allege that in recent times their income has dwindled as their catch is getting low. At this juncture not getting a ration card under the Food Security Act would be a great blow to economic condition, said D. Guraya.
The fishermen have demanded that the government review its decision. According to them only small fishermen with boats with 10HP engines because of government support should not get excluded from the provision of ration cards under the Act.
The fishermen have sent a memorandum to the government.
“Those who got subsidised boats, motor engines by the government being left out”
