Theeradesa Nethruvedi organised a Secretariat march here on Saturday seeking immediate implementation of the Rs 52-crore fishermen livelihood project submitted to the State Coastal Development Corporation as well as a solution to issue of supplying kerosene for operating fishermen’s boats.
A large number of fishermen including women and children participated in the march and dharna staged in front of the Secretariat.
Inaugurating the dharna, Nethruvedi president Veli Varghese said Nabard and Hudco had cheated the fishermen community by failing to allot Rs 150 crore each to the State Coastal Development Corporation for implementing the Comprehensive Fisheries Sector Development Project and housing project for fishermen which were approved by the State Government during the last fiscal.
Veli Varghese alleged that the Civil Supplies Corporation was trying to protect the blackmarketeers of kerosene by not handing over the kerosene distribution to Matsyafed.
Veli Varghese pointed out that a decision to hand over kerosene distribution meant for fisherfolk to Matsyafed was taken at the meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
He asked the government to withdraw from the move to implement the coastal shipping project.
He also demanded the government to speed up works on the Vizhinjam project, allotment of Rs 150 crore by Nabard and approval to the fishermen livelihood project.
The other demands include issuance of BPL card for fishworkers and distribution of title deeds for fishermen.
Reeches Fernandez, Panathura Purushothaman, Pulluvila Lordon and others spoke.