Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has appealed to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for immediate and substantial steps to uphold the traditional fishing rights of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu.
In a letter to Jaishankar, CM Stalin emphasized the current challenges faced by fishermen and criticized the BJP-led government for not taking concrete steps during its three consecutive terms in power.
"Despite the BJP-led government being in power for the third consecutive term, no tangible and significant effort has been made to reclaim the island except using the issue as rhetoric during election times," the letter reads.
Earlier, the Ramanathapuram District Fishermen's Association on Saturday announced that it would hold a protest against the Tamil Nadu government following the introduction of new laws for fishermen, demanding their immediate repeal.
Association members alleged that the laws are designed to harm fishermen, specifically citing a provision that allows only one of a person's boats to receive diesel at a subsidized rate if they own more than one boat.
The association members took a decision on the protest at a meeting held in front of the fishing token issuing office near Rameswaram fishing port. The meeting was chaired by association secretary Jesuraj.
Fishermen also condemned the new law, which they say includes the cancellation of government benefits such as fishermen's savings and relief provided to fishermen over 60 years of age. They further alleged that the government refused to provide relief to a fisherman who recently died of a heart attack while fishing in the sea at Rameswaram.
Furthermore, the fishermen accused the Chief Minister of not fulfilling his promise of increasing diesel subsidy made at the DMK Fishermen's Conference.
Fishermen also complained about the lack of adequate prices for the shrimp and crabs they catch.
In a letter to Jaishankar, CM Stalin emphasized the current challenges faced by fishermen and criticized the BJP-led government for not taking concrete steps during its three consecutive terms in power.
"Despite the BJP-led government being in power for the third consecutive term, no tangible and significant effort has been made to reclaim the island except using the issue as rhetoric during election times," the letter reads.
Earlier, the Ramanathapuram District Fishermen's Association on Saturday announced that it would hold a protest against the Tamil Nadu government following the introduction of new laws for fishermen, demanding their immediate repeal.
Association members alleged that the laws are designed to harm fishermen, specifically citing a provision that allows only one of a person's boats to receive diesel at a subsidized rate if they own more than one boat.
The association members took a decision on the protest at a meeting held in front of the fishing token issuing office near Rameswaram fishing port. The meeting was chaired by association secretary Jesuraj.
Fishermen also condemned the new law, which they say includes the cancellation of government benefits such as fishermen's savings and relief provided to fishermen over 60 years of age. They further alleged that the government refused to provide relief to a fisherman who recently died of a heart attack while fishing in the sea at Rameswaram.
Furthermore, the fishermen accused the Chief Minister of not fulfilling his promise of increasing diesel subsidy made at the DMK Fishermen's Conference.
Fishermen also complained about the lack of adequate prices for the shrimp and crabs they catch.
