HC orders fixing of 4,997 boats with transponders within two months

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad made this observation while disposing a plea moved by Fisherman Care, which sought to direct the Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs to refer the Human Right violations committed by the Sri Lankan Navy for the past 34 years against the fisherman of India to the International Court of Justice.

The plea also sought to act against the Sri Lankan Navy for violation of the 1974 agreement entered between India and Sri Lanka.

Noting that the real public interest in this writ petition, is security and safety of fishermen, which is also felt by the state and Government of India, the bench said “Setting up of towers for monitoring of the fishing boats, has been taken up by the government, for the safety and security of fishermen.

Installation of transponders and other safety equipment has been taken up by the governments and therefore, it cannot be said that the they have wholly failed to discharge their duties.”

Also, observing that from the statements of the Coast Guard and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it is clear that installation of transponders and other safety equipment onboard fishing boats, would certainly minimise crossing of borders, the bench said “Purpose and benefits of installation of transponders and other safety equipment onboard fishing boats, would ensure not only safety and security of the fishermen, but also transparency.”

“It would certainly bring in orderliness and prevent cross bordering, subject the erring fishermen to risk on their own,” the bench added.

However, on noting that as per the Blue Revolution Scheme the total project cost of fitting the transponder and other safety gadgets would be borne by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, the bench impleaded the said department and directed it to fix the remaining 4,997 boats out of the 5,500 boats with transponders within the next two months.

The bench also directed the ISRO to place orders for manufacturing the remaining transponders within one month and install the same at the earliest so that, safety and security of fishermen are ensured, and fishing vessels are monitored.