Oommen Chandy bats for fishers' kin

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting compensation for family members of fishermen missing in Cyclone Ockhi. He pointed out that many fishermen were hesitating to venture into the sea fearing gusty winds. Mr Chandy had visited cyclone affected areas of Thumpa, Vettucaud, Cheriyathura, Valiyathura, Poonthura and Vizhinjam on Saturday. 

He said that only a few people are getting Rs 2,000 weekly benefits which should be ensured so that the missing fishermen’s families are also be care for. “Now the local fishermen are alleging that only those included in the welfare scheme are getting the weekly allowance. Widows should also be included in the weekly compensation package apart from those fishermen who have got ration card with fishermen status inscribed on them,” says Chandy in the letter.

He has also demanded that fishermen community should be allowed more time to ensure that they remit their savings relief scheme and that anyone in the family should be allowed to remit it. He has also urged that Rs 500 should be granted to those fishermen who are scared to venture in to the sea due to adverse weather forecast warning.