Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SN/CN)

Mangalore, Dec 5: The Coastal Karnataka Fishermen’s Action Committee, after a conference with concerned authorities, has said in a press release that they are facing problems due to the introduction of the ‘Smart Card’.

The committee said that it was not opposing the biometric identity cards but only stating the issues arising out of it. It said that 95 percent of the fishermen belonging to other states work on daily wages and also change boats daily. 

It is not possible for them to pay Rs 300 and change the card every day. The money spent and time wasted is the problem of the smart card, said Loknat Bolar, working president of the committee and Vasudeva Bolar, chief secretary, in the release.

At present, fishermen are given identity cards which include all the information contained in smart cards. Authorities have failed to address the problems listed by the fishermen, said the committee. The union has ordered members to immediately inform the coast guard if any unknown vessels are spotted. 

The fishermen are ready to make sacrifices for the country’s security and are willing to co-operate with all orders passed by the central and state governments, added the release.