Will urge Centre for review of Katchatheevu pact: Vasan

Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan today said he would prevail upon the Centre to review the 1974 agreement signed with Sri Lanka on Katchatheevu islet for the welfare of Indian fishermen's livelihood.
"I will urge the Centre to take a complete review of the agreement signed with Sri Lanka in 1974 on Katchatheevu island for the welfare of the Tamil Nadu fishermen's livelihood," Vasan told reporters here.
Vasan's comment has come at a time when the meeting between fishermen associations from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu is scheduled to be held here on January 27.
It also comes a day after Centre informed the Madras High Court that the sovereignty of Sri Lanka over Katchatheevu in the Palk Strait is a settled matter and Indian fishermen do not enjoy any right to fish in the region.

Fishermen hailing from Ramanathapuram, Rameswaram and other Southern districts of Tamil Nadu are protesting the frequent attacks allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy and arrest of their colleagues and seizure of boats.
Asked whether the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections have been decided, Vasan, whose term expires on April 2, said it was upto the high command to announce the candidate. "The decision will be taken by party high command."
To a query about whether Congress will reconsider its decision to support Aam Aadmi Party after the recent protest in Delhi led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said his party backed AAP for the welfare of the people and development of Delhi. "Now we are monitoring their (AAP) activities", he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 5th South region Shipping Conclave, organised by South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and The Times Group.