Kerala   

More facilities sought for fishermen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Assurance Committee of the State Legislature has recommended that educational facilities for children of fishermen should be improved. It also called for exemption of fishermen from coastal zone regulations.

In its report submitted to the House, the committee said that more educational institutions should be set up in the coastal areas, with support programmes for improving standards. Steps should also be taken to improve infrastructure besides providing scholarships and other assistance to children. The committee felt that fisher folk should be fully exempted from coastal zone regulations and titles should be given for their residential holdings in the zone. The State should press for changes in the regulations in that regard and also for inclusion of representative of the State government in the Coastal Regulation Zone Management Authority. The Centre should also be pressed for inclusion of fishermen in its debt relief scheme.

The Central Finance Commission should be urged to consider accidents at sea owing to rough seas as natural calamity for payment of compensation. Rescue boats should be made available in all districts.

It recommended that modern fish storing cum marketing centres should be set up in selected centres of the State. Fisheries clubs should be formed for implementation of the ‘Matsyakeralam' project. Ventures similar to Kudumbasree should be established for promoting culture of ornamental fishes. Microfinance should be made available for small enterprises by fishermen. Besides, they should be involved in projects for making value-added products from marine resources.

The preliminary steps for building ten new fishing harbours in the State should be speeded up. Revival of defunct basic infrastructure projects should be given priority. Coverage under group insurance scheme should be enhanced.

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