The Mogaveera Yuva Sanghatane has urged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah to prevail upon the Union government to give the Scheduled Tribe (ST) tag to the fishermen community and 39 sub-castes coming under it.
Addressing presspersons here recently, Gangadhar Hosabettu, president of the Sanghatane, said the State government had responded to this demand and had sent the proposal to the Union government twice. Coastal areas in Udupi district should be shifted from Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) III to CRZ II as this would facilitate construction of buildings and other developmental works. This would help in providing basic facilities to the coastal areas.
The diesel subsidy presently being given to fishermen with BPL cards should be extended to all fishermen.
A separate Ministry for Fisheries should be formed at the Union government level. Steps should be taken to develop all fisheries harbours, he added.
