Udupi: Fishermen hold Massive Protest Rally against Transfer of Diesel Subsidy to Bank Accounts

Udupi: Members of the fishing community held a massive protest rally on Tuesday, August 4 from Malpe to Udupi Taluk Office against the state government’s decision to transfer diesel subsidy to the bank accounts of fishermen.More than 500 fishermen raised slogans against the state government and demanded to revert the order.

Speaking to mediapersons, Yaspal Suvarna, president of DK and Udupi district Fish Sellers’ Federation, said that when the Karnataka government had implemented the scheme on April 1 this year, the federation had opposed it. “Later, following pressure from various fishermen associations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised that the scheme will be implemented only after holding discussions with the fishermen. But the government has taken a unilateral decision to transfer the subsidy amount to the bank accounts of the fishermen. Hence, we were observing the strike from the past 4 days.” He demanded the government to continue the previous system of providing subsidy to the fishermen while purchasing diesel.Later, the federation leaders moved to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister of Karnataka though DC Dr R Vishal.Shop Owners of Malpe area extended their support by closing their business establishments. Nearly 5,000 fishing boats were anchored in Malpe, Hangarcutte and Hejamadi Port.

Fishing community leaders Hiriyanna Kidiyoor, Ramesh Kotian, Santhosh Salian, Vittal Karkera, Kishore Padukere, Gurudas Bangera, Baby Salian, Somappa Kanchan, Umesh Suvarna and others were present.