Congress leader KV Thomas urges Centre to give free ration to fishermen hit by ban

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader KV Thomas today urged the Centre to provide free ration to fishermen affected by the ban imposed on fishing by mechanised boats for the months of June and July.

Ban on fishing by mechanised boats is imposed between June 15 and July 31 by state like Kerala in the territorial waterways and a total ban on fishing is imposed for one month from June 1 by the Centre in the Exclusive Economic Zone, he told newspersons at a press conference here.

There is no income or job for fishermen during these two months. "All people in the coastal areas, including traditional fishermen, should be provided free ration for the months June and July," the former Union Minister said.

He also demanded that the Centre properly assist states in construction of sea walls to prevent sea erosion.

The Congress leader, who represents Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, said he would be meeting Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh tomorrow in this regard.