MPs from Kerala today protested outside Parliament, demanding protection to the traditional fishermen and withdrawal of the Meenakumari Commission report. They expressed apprehensions that if the report is implemented, the livelihood of the fishing community in the state will be adversely affected.
Later, talking to media, Congress MP from Kerala Prof KV Thomas demanded restoration of kerosene subsidy to the fishermen. He said the Centre should withdraw its anti-fishermen policies. A seven-member committee headed by Dr B Meenakumari had submitted its report to the centre last year. The Commission was set up to review India’s fisheries policy and existing guidelines for deep sea fishing in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.