Madras HC issues notice on fishing ban relief plea

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, before whom the public interest litigation came up for hearing on Friday, adjourned it to April 28, after senior standing counsel for the central government J Madanagopala Rao and Government Pleader T N Rajagopalan took notices for the Centre and the State respectively. 

Referring to the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries extending the fishing ban period from 45 days to 61 days and enhancing the existing ban relief assistance from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, LTA Peter Rayan, Fisherman Care President said, the relief amount of Rs 5,000 for 61 days works out to a meagre Rs 83 per day. This, he said, is grossly insufficient to meet even the basic needs of a family. 

The petitioner stated that on successful trawling, a fisherman earns anywhere between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per day. Restricting the fishermen from doing business and at the same time not compensating them sufficiently for their loss violates the Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, he added. 

Submitting that there are no alternative employment opportunities in the coastal areas during the fishing ban period and in such situations, the fishermen are left with no other choice but to take loans at higher rates of interest, the petitioner sought enhancement of the relief to Rs 500 per day.