Rahul supports demand for separate fisheries ministry

Mumbai: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met representatives of the fishing community who put forth various demands pertaining to their business like need  for a separate ministry, farming status for fisheries and more  subsidies on diesel.   

 

In a 40-minute interaction held at Versova fishing village  which falls in Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency of  CWC member Gurudas Kamat, fishing community representatives  highlighted their demands and expressed fear that with land  costs in Mumbai spiralling, builders were eyeing sprawling  fish markets.  

 

"We want to know on whose side are you?" they asked the  Congress leader.   "I will always be with you," Rahul replied adding that he  had come to meet them and understand their views and not give  a speech.   Supporting the demand for a separate fisheries ministry,  he said that it was a good suggestion.   

 

When Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan intervened to say  that there is budgetary provision of about Rs 1,600 crore for  the animal husbandry ministry, under which the fisheries  department falls, one of the locals said all agriculture  ministers the state has seen are not from the coastal region  and do not understand the nitty gritties of fishing business.   "They have no information of the sea. Like farmers, we do  not get compensation, if there is drought (poor cache of fish  in the sea)," another speaker pointed out.   

 

There was also a demand for expansion of the Sasoon Docks  in South Mumbai. Another local highlighted the need for loans  from nationalised banks at low interest rate.   "Fishing is not a 12-month business. We need alternative  jobs for livelihood," said one speaker.   

 

Another speaker said in coastal areas, various companies  are given permissions in the name of tourism and it has  created discomfort among the fisherfolk.   

"There has to be a proper policy in favour of the fishing  community," he demanded.   Rahul told the gathering that like fishermen even the  farmers feel a lot needs to be done for them.   "In the last ten years, the central government has worked  to lay a solid foundation for sections of the society so that  they feel secure," he said.  

 

He said the fishing community needs representation in the  Legislative Assemblies and Parliament to get their voice  heard.   "The job of the Congress party is to empower the women and  youth," he stressed.   

Soon after the interaction, Rajashree Bhanjee, president  of the Marol Bazaar Maasli Vikreta Koli Mahila Sanstha, told  PTI that she expressed fear before the Congress leader that  fishermen's land might be taken over by builders.   

 

There were 37 fish markets in Mumbai and all belonged to  the municipal corporation.   "Kolis (fisherfolk) have no stake in these premises. We  fear builders might take them over. 

Similarly, subsidies in  diesel should be enhanced," she said.   Those in the gathering found Gandhi to be "endearing" and  "one among us", she said.  "He could have just given a speech and gone. But, he spent  time to interact with us even though it is because elections  are round the corner," she said.   To a question that opinion polls and surveys do not show  Gandhi in positive light, Bhanjee said, "We don't find him  that bad."