AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa on Friday said her party would hold a demonstration at New Delhi on December 18 against the proposed Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Bill, opposing its provision to limit fishing by Indian fishermen within 12 nautical miles.
“This (proposed) law is an overt attempt to trample upon the traditional fishermen while opening up India’s rich exclusive economic zone to powerful foreign fishing trawlers and to big indigenous players,” Ms. Jayalalithaa, who had asserted AIADMK would oppose the bill at the introduction stage in Parliament, said in a statement.
Citing reports that the bill could be tabled later and not in the current session of Parliament, she said AIADMK’s stand was that it should not be introduced at all.
“The ruling Congress government has not given its response to the widespread opposition to the proposed bill. Hence, to condemn the Central Government, a massive demonstration will be conducted in Delhi on December 18 by AIADMK,” she said adding former Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar would preside over the demonstration.
While AIADMK has been opposing the bill, its arch rival, DMK, a constituent of the ruling UPA at the Centre, has called for broader discussions with stakeholders on its provisions.
