Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Feb 26: Thousands of fishermen under the banner of Karnataka state traditional fishermen's organization, Kundapur staged protest in front of DC's office in Manipal here on Monday, February 26 demanding immediate release of subsidized kerosene.
The state government had been distributing subsidized kerosene from September to May through fair price shops and fishing cooperative organizations for many years. But last year, it was distributed only in September and November.
In a statement released by the government, it has been stated that the required grants to purchase kerosene has been sanctioned but the same has not reached to the food corporations concerned.
Kerosene is usually required for traditional fishing in the months of March, April and May when fishermen venture out to sea to earn their livelihood.
The fishermen complained that they have not received any grants for the past three months. "Fishing is the only way to earn our livelihood. The government will be in trouble if it does not sanction the subsidized kerosene oil without further delay," they warned.
The traditional fishermen demanded that the government take this issue seriously and initiate suitable measures to release allotted grants immediately for traditional fishing.
At the end of the protest, they handed over a copy of memorandum to deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis regarding their demands.
Speaking to the protesters, DC Priyanka said, "I have already spoken about the issue to the government officials and the issue will be sorted out immediately. The issue has also been brought to the notice of the district in-charge minister. A decision will be made soon."
Assuring the protesters, Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary said, "I have spoken to the commissioner, the secretary, and the district-in-charge minister regarding the issue. They have told me that the fund has been already released to the food corporation. The department promised that it would purchase the kerosene at 50% subsidized rate and then release it to traditional fishermen. If the problem is not solved, I will meet the officials concerned in Bengaluru soon."
President and secretary of the traditional fishermen, Kundapur taluk, former Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Madan Kumar, Somashekhar, Manju Billava, Janardan Thingalaya, Abdul Azeez and others were present.