Forced hiatus: With the ban on fishing coming into effect, mechanised boats lie docked at the Thengaithittu harbour in Puducherry; fishermen loading up nets. | Photo Credit: T_Singaravelou more-in With the 61 day ban on fishing, which came into force on the East Coast from April 15, bringing to a halt the fishing activities in the Union Territory, fishermen in Puducherry and Karaikal regions are virtually in troubled waters without being able to get any alternative source of income during the ban period. Over 21,000 fishermen families are residing in the Union Territory. The government had announced a compensation of ?5,500 per month to each of the families to enable them to get out of penury as their income would get dry. This would entail an expenditure of ?13 crore. ‘Paid only ?183 per day’ But the list of woes for fishermen seems endless with the community charging the government with late disbursement of the compensation amount. By itself the amount of compensation is paltry for the fishermen families since they would not be able to meet their commitments during the ban period. “The government is paying ?286 per day as minimum wages for workers engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) while the assistance to fishermen works out to a paltry ?183 per day . Fishing is the main source of our livelihood. How is it possible for us to keep the pot boiling with the meagre compensation given to us. Even the disbursement of compensation is delayed adding insult to injury,” M. Ilango, Chairperson of National Fisherfolk Forum told The Hindu. The delayed payment has become a norm over the last few years. The government should ensure that the payment is disbursed on time to the families, Mr. Ilango said. Unfulfilled promises Many promises such as disbursement of assistance for damaged fishing boats, revival of Puducherry Fishermen Development Corporation, and old age pension for new applicants remain unfulfilled. Fishermen have also demanded the government to change the period of annual fishing ban from April-June to January-February to help facilitate better breeding. The annual fishing ban has been extended from 45 to 61 days. However, fishermen from the coastal States on the East Coast feel that the ban period should be changed. The Centre should consult the stakeholders particularly the fishing community on deciding the ban period since they possess the ground knowledge on the dynamics of the sea. NFF has also demanded the Centre to form a separate Ministry for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare by bifurcating the Ministry of Agriculture. NFF has sought greater allocation of funds for fishermen. A major portion of the fund allocation in 2017-18 went to training and research institutions leaving a meagre sum for fishermen welfare, Mr. Ilango said.

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