THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Chief Minister Oommen Chandy along with cabinet colleagues - Fisheries Minister K Babu and Labour Minister Shibu Baby John - will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice Kerala’s concerns on the proposed 61-day fishing ban instead of the usual 47-day trawling ban.
The state cabinet which discussed the issue on Wednesday, decided to apprise the Prime Minister on Kerala’s opposition to the proposed fishing ban.
“Fishermen organisations have expressed their concerns in this regard. And in no way can Kerala agree to the extended 61-day ban. As per this proposal based on the recommendations of the committee, no mechanised boats can operate for fishing activities during this period. Kerala is fully opposed to this move. I have already sent a letter to the Prime Minister expressing the state’s opposition to the proposed ban,” Oommen Chandy said after the cabinet meeting.
The date and time to meet Narendra Modi would be decided based on the response from the Prime Minister’s Office, Chandy added.
Tender issue to be discussed
All issues related to single tender for Vizhinjam international container project would be discussed during the forthcoming director board meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said. Asked whether the government has received legal advice to go ahead with the single tender, Chandy said it hasn’t come to his notice. “All aspects of Vizhinjam project including the issues following the single tender would come up for discussion during the director board meeting,” he said. The meeting of the empowered panel would discuss issues before it comes up for discussion at the board meeting.