THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Monday will distribute compensation to 731 shore-seine (karamadi) fishermen, who lost their livelihood due to the Vizhinjam Project, at a function here. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event and distribute the compensation amount at the Government Guest House, Thycaud, at 12.30 pm.
A quantum of Rs 40.52 crore is being distributed in this phase of the compensation and rehabilitation package announced by the state government in connection with the Rs 7,525 crore project, according to the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the government company overseeing the project. The per-head compensation will come to Rs 5.60 lakh. Earlier, as part of the scheme, the government had disbursed Rs 22.54 crore to 433 persons, including the 196 fishermen, engaged in clam/lobster fishing and 174 shore-seine fishermen.
The government is also distributing additional kerosene to 1,734 mechanised country fishing boats plying from Vizhinjam in view of the hardships they face due to the construction of the breakwater for the project. The government has so far spent Rs 5.83 crore on additional kerosene distribution, VISL said. In all, 2,898 fishermen will benefit from the Rs 68.89 crore compensation package announced by the government.
The VISL and the state government had undertaken a massive compensation and rehabilitation programme in connection with the project. Fishermen in Vizhinjam and Mulloor, where the port is coming up, and the nearby fishing centres of Adimalathura and Kottapuram are the beneficiaries of this scheme. The previous UDF Government had inked the concession agreement with the Adani Group for the Vizhinjam project in September 2015. Construction began on December 5 that year.
Ports Minister Ramachandran Kadannapally will preside over Monday’s function. Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma and Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran are chief guests at the function. Mayor V K Prasanth, Shashi Tharoor MP, Kovalam MLA M Vincent, District Collector K Vasuki and VISL CEO Jayakumar will be present.
Rs 40.52 cr distributed
A quantum of Rs 40.52 crore is being distributed in this phase of the compensation and rehabilitation package announced by the state government in connection with the Rs 7,525 crore project, according to the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the government company overseeing the project.