Search for the missing fishermen: Request to PM Secretary, Jaitley

Malpe: The All India Fishermen’s Forum met the prime minister’s secretary at New Delhi on Tueday and submitted a request to start a high level investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the deep sea trawler along with its crew of seven fishermen and to ensure their locating and safe recovery.

The decision of was to meet the prime minister but since there was a lack of time, the request was submitted to the secretary. The request was accepted by the secretary who assured that the same will be brought to the notice of the prime minister and the concerned departments will be notified.

Request to finance minister

The forum at the same time met with the finance minister Arun Jaitely and submitted a request of many demands including exclusion from GST for fishing equipment, subsidized kerosene for traditional boats, a separated ministry for fisheries, exemption from diesel road cess and many other demands. The request was accepted by the minister who assured that suitable action will be taken after discussing the same with the concerned departments.

The delegation included the president of All India Fishermen’s Forum Velijbai K Masani, chief secretar Yashpal A Suvarna, president of Malpe fishermen’s association Satish Kunder, leaders Nithin Kumar, Manohar Boloor, Ibrahim, Dayananda K Suvarna, Karunakar Salian, Kishore Suvarna, MP Nalin Kumar, Shobha Karandlaje and MLA Rahupati Bhat.