Fishermen to launch agitation against CMZ

Mangalore, Jul 4 (UNI) Fishermen from all over the country will embark on an indefinite strike in front of Parliament from July 22 in protest against the proposed implementation of Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) replacing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

National Fishermen Federation (NFF) Secretary Vasudeva Boloor told newspersons here today that a decision to this effect was taken at a Federation meeting held in Kolkata on June 28.

Mr Boloor said the NEF demanded, among other things, withdrawal of cess levied on diesel distributed to the fishermen, cancellation of licenses issued to foreign trawlers for fishing in Indian waters and implementation of a social security scheme for fishermen in tune with the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation.

Welcoming the Centre's decision to waive off fishermen's loans along with farm loans, Mr Boloor urged the government to extend the loan waiver scheme to women from fishermen community, who work as retail fish vendors.

UNI MA MSP RL PM1935