Avertano assures Katem-Baina fishermen of rehabilitation

NT NETWORK
VASCO
Minister for Fisheries Avertano Furtado, on Monday, assured the traditional fishermen from Katem Baina to rehabilitate them in view of the proposed demolition of their structures, located along the coast, which violate the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Furtado visited the Katem Baina locality upon the request made by the Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott. He listened to the grievances of the traditional fishermen, who are residing there for the last several decades.
He was accompanied by fisheries director Shamila Monteiro, GRE president Agnelo Rodrigues, GRE joint general secretary Olencio Simoes, Old Cross Canoe Fishing Owners Association president Custodio D’Souza besides others.
The fishermen informed Furtado that the state government has done injustice to them by issuing show cause notices for demolishing their structures, which are in existence for the last several decades. They informed that they are residing at Katem Baina prior to 1991 when the CRZ rules were not in existence.
The state government wants to provide a boost to tourism by razing the structures of the traditional fishermen, said GRE president Rodrigues and further added that the traditional fishermen would not tolerate any injustice, and would fight for their rights.
GRE joint general secretary Simoes said that there are nearly 450 traditional fishermen residing at Katem Baina.
“We want proper rehabilitation of the fishing community,” said Simoes.
The GRE proposed a land, behind the sewerage treatment plant at Katem Baina, which could be utilised for the rehabilitation of the fishermen.
The GRE requested the Minister to initiate immediate steps to rehabilitate the traditional fishermen. Furtado inspected the site along with the fishermen.
“I would discuss the rehabilitation issue with the Power Minister Milind Naik who is also the legislator of Mormugao constituency and also with the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar,” he said.
“I would do the needful for the traditional fishermen who are residing at Katem Baina coast,” he said and added that traditional fishermen need to be rehabilitated by the government.
“My priority will be to rehabilitate the traditional fishermen,” he added.