Kerala against total fishing ban during monsoon

The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today strongly resented Centre's decision to impose total fishing ban in coastal belt for 61 days during monsoon and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a relook.

A delegation led by chief minister Oommen Chandy would meet the Prime Minister to convey state's protest over the decision to impose total fishing ban from June 1 to July 31 in the 22 nautical miles of Indian exclusive economic zone.

The state Cabinet discussed the concern and apprehension expressed by fishermen on the new fishing guidelines during monsoon, Chandy told reporters during a Cabinet briefing here.

"I have already written a letter to the Prime Minister expressing state's opposition to the total ban holding that it would adversely affect the fishing community and state," he said.

The Kerala government had already stated it opposed total ban and would stick to its normal trawling ban for 47 days during monsoon, he said.

He said they had also made it clear that total trawling ban would not be implemented within 12 nautical miles of the state.

On other decisions, Chandy said the Cabinet resolved to provide medicines free of cost to persons suffering from hemophilia disorder.

In a significant move to help mentally-challenged children, he said the Cabinet had decided to upgrade the 'Special Schools' with more than 100 students as government-aided schools.

Of the 278 'Special Schools' only one school was run by government, Chandy said, adding, all others were managed by private organisations. The decision would benefit 23 schools, which have more than 100 students.

It was also agreed in-principle to upgrade such institutions as aided schools, which have more than 50 students, he said, adding, the process to upgrade them would begin soon.