On trawling ban eve, fishers a worried lot

Arrangements in place only for free distribution of rice; other demands still pending

SEASON'S LAST:Fishermen unload the last catch of the season at Puthiyappa fishing harbourin Kozhikode.

Though the fishermen community had demanded several schemes to help them tide over the 47-day trawling ban period, arrangements are in place only for the free distribution of rice during the term.

Despite frequent pleas submitted by fishermen’s organisations to the government and departments related to the fisheries sector, no addition was made to the conventional rationing scheme.

Fishermen families in the city say that the rationing scheme hardly brings any relief as only a few manage to get the declared quota of rice during the term.

“The saddest part is that the rice supply under the scheme begins only by the end of the trawling ban period,” they add.

Temporary jobs

One of the main demands put forth by various fishermen’s organisations in the State was the creation of temporary job opportunities to help them find an alternative source of revenue during the term. The suggestion is still pending with various government departments.

K. Rajesh, leader of a local collective of fishermen from the Puthiyappa region, says most of the temporarily displaced fishers are likely to depend on odd jobs in the unskilled sector during the trawl ban period. “If the government had planned properly and initiated some schemes, it would have been a big relief for several poor families,” he adds.

Beypore Harbour Development Committee president Karichal Preman says the fishermen families deserve a special financial grant from the State or Central government to survive during the term. “With just rice, they will never be able to meet the unexpected medical expenses, schooling expense of children, and the threat from monsoon-related calamities,” he says.

Awaiting govt. nod

Fisheries Department officials say they will not be able to go ahead with any other additional relief measures as it has to be first approved by the State government. There were recommendations to sanction a reasonable compensation for fishermen in case of any calamity, but an official order is still awaited.

The officials say the fishermen are not eager to apply even for the free rice quota.

“Last year, we had to cancel the sanctioned quota as there were very few applicants for the scheme,” they say.