The Mangaluru to Thiruvanathapuram boat rally against the Meena Kumari report was flagged off here on Friday.
The National Fishworkers Forum said the report prohibits Indian trawlers fishing in waters of depths 200 to 500m, while allowing foreign boats to fish in Indian waters. Activist Medha Patkar, who flagged off the rally, lambasted the BJP-led Union Government for its “anti-people, pro-corporate” policies. Citing the proposals to change the environmental laws, coastal regulatory laws, labour laws, land acquisition act, dilution of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme among others. Ms. Patkar said only a mass people’s agitation can stop the “selling of resources in the country”.
The rally will reach the Kerala capital on November 30, after stopping in the major harbours of the South West coastline. The Forum has also demanded a separate ministry for fisheries, subsidised kerosene for traditional boats, removal of excise duty and road tax on diesel used by fishing trawlers.
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