Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Oct 8: Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary reminded the fishermen that legally there is no provision to undertake bull trawl and light fishing. He said that the fishermen leaders have been asked to move together on this issue with mutual consent. "In spite of this, if the fishermen develop differences and hold protests, the department will act as per law," he stated. 

Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, Poojary said that two fishermen groups are engaged in expressing themselves in favour of and against the above two kinds of fishing. "We cannot violate law to permit these types of fishing. We are compelled to follow the legal line. Fishermen leaders should understand this," he explained. 

Poojary said that the government had banned these fishing types in the interests of fish breeding. He said that it is possible to find a solution if the fishermen's organizations work in tandem with each other and that he had personally taken up this issue with fishermen leaders several times. "We do not want friction. We hope fishermen leaders, from both country boat and purse seine groups stick to law," he stated. 

Poojary said that the government has decided to undertake resettlement of flood affected families in Dakshina Kannada district. He said that in Beltangady taluk, the government will extend help to undertake repairs and other works in cases where natural calamity has inflicted huge losses. He said that discussions are on about how to remove accumulated silt in agricultural fields on account of floods. He explained that five lac rupees is being given for constructing new houses and in addition to payment of Rs 5,000 per month towards rent till the house is constructed. In case where documents are not in order, there is a plan to build houses under Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, he added.