D. Ravikumar, the Member of Parliament for Villupuram, has called upon the Centre to increase the compensations granted to fisher folks for loss of work during annual 61-day fishing ban period up to a minimum of ₹18,000 according to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme’s fixed lowest wages.
For example, while writing a letter to Union Minister Rajiv Singh in charge of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Daring in India, Mr. Ravikumar said that this time is set by the federal government for fish reproduction activities. For instance, registered fishermen are eligible for a relief fund amounting to ₹3,000 provided they have paid ₹1,500 into it.
A number of States like Tamil Nadu have improved it by contributing their own funds. To be precise, the Government of Tamil Nadu gives ₹8,000 as ban/lean period amount per family.
Ravikumar said an extensive study was carried out by Govarthini in Cuddalore district under the supervision of French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), which revealed that this compensation did not represent the actual needs of many fisherfolk.
“Given today’s financial situation, I would urge Indian leaders not only to reconsider subsidies on essential fishing equipment such as nets but also enhance assistance given to fishermen affected by bans at least up to INR 18 000. This could ease off a little bit revisiting earlier subsidies offered towards necessity tools like nets during lean times when economic activities are limited due to bans imposed on fishing.” The MP from Villupuram suggested,
Furthermore he asked the Centre to conduct scientific research into the advantages brought about by fishing bans.