Visakhapatnam: With the presence of 800 fibre boats in Pedda Jalaripeta, around 10,000 families depend on these boats for their livelihood.
However, since November, these families are struggling with financial problems. Due to Cyclone Michaung, the fishermen from Pedda Jalaripeta haven’t gone to catch fish in the sea for the past five days, further worsening their financial distress.
"Last month, we did not catch fish for a week. Now, due to this storm, we have not seen the sea for five days. We are in deep trouble," said Devadamma.
The fishermen in the area packed their fishing nets after the fire accident in the fishing harbour on Nov 19. They could not go to the sea to catch fish because the fishing harbour was burnt. The entire market remained closed and there was no chance to sell fish brought from the sea.
Ellaiah said, "We have small fibre boats and our daily income is low. If we do not work for a day, we end up starving. The ruling party did not come to us with any help so far. We expected TD leader Velagapudi Rambabu, the sitting MLA, to visit us, but no one came. Due to Cyclone Michaung, we are in distress."
He added, “Last month, when the boats got burnt in the fishing harbour, the government immediately stepped in and paid compensation. As it was election season, every political party came forward to help the fishing harbour fire accident victims. At the same time, the fishermen of Pedda Jalaripeta lost their livelihood due to the same accident. Neither the ruling party leaders nor the opposition leaders including Pawan Kalyan cared for us.”
“Many of our fibre boats are very old, they pose a constant danger to us. We gave many requests to the government for replacement of our boats. However, no grant has been released. If the government sanctions a grant of 70 per cent for the making of a boat, we shall spend the rest 30 per cent."
Applaswami Trinidad said, “Our boats are very small and we need a GPS machine. If we want to buy a GPS machine in the open market, we have to pay Rs 14000, but if the government gives it, it will cost only Rs 4000. Most of us here do not have a GPS machine. Not having this is a huge risk.”
