Kakinaeda, October 09: TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu demanded that the government repeal 2009 Marine Regulation Act immediately because it is creating problems to the fishermen.
Interacting with the fisherfolk here today, he said the demand of fishermen to treat them under ST category or at least under the most backward class is justified and the TDP will support it, he said.
He accused the government of neglecting the welfare of 85 lakh fishermen living on the coast between Tada and Ichhapuram in the state. Tsunami funds allotted for the fishermen have been diverted for other works, he alleged.
Movement of foreign trawlers in the sea must be stopped as they are affecting the livelihood of fishermen, he said.
Also, their colonies along the seashore are polluted because of the effluents of industries.
He condemned the government for evacuating fishermen villages in the name of special economic zones.
He alleged that the government is diluting anchorage port and extending support to private deep water port.
TDP will fight for the development of anchorage port, he assured.
Scores of fishermen vented out their problems to the TDP president and asked him for redressal of their grievances.
Party leaders Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao, Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary, Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, Metla Satyanarayana Rao, Ganni Krishna and others accompanied the party president.
–Agencies