'CHALO DELHI' BY FISHERS ON FEBRUARY 22

FISHERS and Fisheries workers from all over the country will descend on Delhi on February 22, 2011 to press their seven -point charter of demands. They will also participate in the central trade unions’ call for 'March to Parliament' the next day, on February 23 protesting against the price rise and in defence of workers' rights.

These decisions were taken by the All India Fishers and Fisheries Workers Federation (AIFFWF) at its extended national committee meeting in Hyderabad on October 30-November:

1. This meeting, attended by 74 state level leaders of fishers’ organisations affiliated to AIFFWF from all parts of the country, deliberated on the problems being faced by the fishers and fisheries workers and formulated the following seven -point charter of demands:

1) The central government must bring a comprehensive Act for the development of fishers and fisheries workers.

2) A separate ministry for fisheries must be formed in the Government of India.

3) Adequate funds must be allotted in the Union budget for welfare of fishers and fisheries workers.

4) Withdraw the 2010 notification of Coastal Regulation Zone.

5) Implement all welfare measures tailored for unorganised sector workers to fishers and fisheries workers also.

6) Make agreements with neighbouring countries for protection of fishers.

7) Formulate Relief and Rehabilitation package for fishers losing their livelihood due to the various projects sanctioned by the government.

Addressing the media about the deliberations of the meeting, Hemalata, general secretary of AIFFWH, said a nationwide agitation would be conducted by the federation on these demands in the run up to February 22 'Chalo Delhi' programme. All other organisations working in this front will be approached for joint, united agitation on these demands.

Federation leader flagged the main problems confronting the people in this sector. The dilution of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification has resulted in large scale proliferation of industries across the coastal region, whose effluents were killing marine wealth and robbing the livelihood of fishers. The first notification issued in 1991 has not been implemented properly and that notification has been further diluted by the recent one issued on September 15. This would result in more industries coming up posing severe threat to the livelihood of millions of fishers.

She demanded scrapping of the latest notification and stricter implementation of the 1991 notification for protection of fisher folk. Inland water bodies were being filled up to use the land for real estate purposes in many parts of the country. The entry of big corporates like Reliance Retail into fish trading was displacing the small fishers from their livelihood. The fisher cooperatives in many areas were being taken over by the rich and the fishers were forced to work for them as labourers.

Kerala unit leader, V V Saseendran, informed about the various welfare measures being implemented by the LDF government for fishers and fisheries workers. Almost all of them are covered by the accident insurance scheme of the government by which Rs 5 lakh would be given to the accident victims. In addition to the EMS Housing scheme, there is also a separate housing scheme for fishers in which the government pays Rs one lakh for construction of houses. Members of the fishers’ cooperatives get up to Rs 10,000 as credit at an interest rate of 6 per cent. The LDF government has also spent an amount of Rs 127 crore for providing debt relief to fishers under the Debt Relief Commission.

Noorul Huda, treasurer of AIFFWF, and L Balakrishna, general secretary of AP unit were also present on the occasion.

DEMAND FOR SEPARATE MINISTRY

The All India Fishers and Fisheries Workers Federation (AIFFWF) has demanded setting up of a separate ministry for fisheries in the Government of India at the earliest in order to ensure protection of the interests of fishers and fisheries workers, who amount to around 1.4 crore people in the country. With no separate ministry, the issues concerning this vast section of people were being dealt with in piece meal manner by the agricultural, environment, commerce and defence ministries. Bringing the fisheries industry under one umbrella ministry would help its growth along with the development of the workforce.

This demand was made by Hemalata, general secretary of the Federation while addressing a convention in Hyderabad on October 30 marking the beginning of the AIFFWF extended national committee's three day meetings here. The convention was organised by the Andhra Pradesh unit of the federation.

The centre's neglect of this sector can be seen from its refusal to concede this demand for separate ministry, said Hemalata. This is despite the fact that India stands third in fish production in the world. In the name of development, the establishing of SEZs, Petro-chemical industries, power plants, ports, tourist resorts and various industries is having a serious impact on the marine life. The harmful chemicals from these industries are killing the marine wealth in the seas, making the fishers lose their livelihood. It was only the Left led governments of Bengal, Kerala and Tripura that were coming to the rescue of fishermen through welfare measures and showing them alternate livelihood.

There is no credit facility for fishers in most parts of the country. They do not get any relief or compensation like the peasants at the time of floods, drought, cyclones etc. With the entry of large corporates like Reliance into fisheries, the fate of millions of small fishermen is becoming uncertain. The fish markets have very meagre facilities and women fishers face great problems. Hemalata called for an organised struggle against the anti-fisher workers policies of the UPA-II government in the coming days. More pressure has to be brought on the central government to solve the problems faced by the fishers.

N B Srihari, chairman of the reception committee, Tushar Ghosh, general secretary of Paschim Banga Matsyajeebi Samiti, V V Saseendran, general secretary of Kerala Fishers’ and Allied Workers’ Federation, Sudhan Das, general secretary of Tripura Rajya Matsyajeebi Samiti, and L Balakrishna, general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Matsyakarulu, Matsyakarmikula Sangham, also addressed the convention that was attended by hundreds of fishers from all over the state. Dr Aribandi Prasada Rao, retired professor of Agricultural University presented a paper on the impact of globalisation on the fishers. M Kumara Swamy, president of the state unit presided over the seminar.

Source: www.citucentre.org/