A scientist from Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) appeared before the Madras High Court on Tuesday and explained the salient features of a transponder developed by it to keep track of fishing vessels on the high seas using GSAT-6, a geostationery communication satellite built by it.
A Division Bench of Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad were apprised of the technical details by Rama Murali, Scientist (D) from Isro. After hearing him and Assistant Solicitor General G. Karthikeyan, the judge asked the scientist to put his submissions in writing by Friday.
They also directed Additional Government Pleader E. Manohar to find out from the State government as to whether it would be possible to make installation of the transponders mandatory in all boats used to fish in the Palk Bay area where complaints of confrontation with the Sri Lankan Navy galore.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Murali had told the court that Isro had made 1,000 transponders for a pilot project and each of it costed ₹ 40,000. However, he added that the cost could be reduced to ₹ 25,000 each if orders were placed in large numbers. After recording his submission, the judges wanted to know whether the government would be able to provide any subsidy.
Judges’ view
The judges were of the view that installation of the transponders would not only prevent the fishermen from crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) but also help in finding out the veracity of their allegations of the Sri Lankan Navy trespassing into Indian waters to assault them.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his submissions, the ISRO scientist said, the transponder would help the fisheries department on the mainland to locate the exact place where every fishing boat was stationed and issue warnings in case they cross the IMBL. The fishermen could also send SOS through an app installed in their mobile phones.
The scientist however, cautioned that the only requirement for uninterrupted communication was that the fishermen should always keep the transponders switched on. “If they switch off the transponders and try to fish beyond the territorial waters, then they would be doing so at their risk. No one can help them,” the senior judge said.
The submissions were made during the hearing of a public interest litigation petition filed by Fishermen Care, a non governmental organisation represented by its president L.T.A. Peter Ryan. The petitioner’s counsel L.P. Maurya claimed that a majority of the fishermen were not averse to fixing the transponders on their boats.