Kollam: Though it is apparent there exists a conspiracy behind allegations related to deep sea-fishing that's goaled to derogate the Left Democratic Front, the Opposition is deploying Goebbelsian strategy of continuing with its fake propaganda, said Fisheries Minister Mercykutty Amma on her Facebook page.
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“In latest of the accusation series, the opposition leader claims the Fisheries minister viewed the deep sea- agreement file twice. His earlier claim said, Mercykutty Amma held talks in U.S. and subsequently lend nod for deep sea fishing when she returned.
When allegations of that overseas talks fell apart, , the next brag was releasing evidence on file viewing. That hoax too crumbles when it became apparent that the ‘viewing’ was about a routine scrutiny of a request. Then came the next allegation claiming the file was viewed was viewed twice . What is so extraordinary about viewing a file ? Should not a request submitted to the office be read at all? The crux lies in seeing what kind of decision followed up any given request? Since the Fisheries Department stand on deep sea fishing is crystal clear, there’s no question about a decision allowing that.
I accept the Opposition leader’s challenge; Can you provide a shred of evidence indicating the Fisheries department took any favourable decision toward deep sea-fishing?; It has been evident over and over again that the Opposition’s campaign is a lowly and heinous one. One should stop thi kind of making dog of a goat.
So, what are the facts related to the topic?
An American company approached my office with a concept on deep sea-fishing, processing, research etc. and the Fisheries Departments maked its policies sufficiently clear. Then in keeping with norms, the Secretary to the Department inquired about the company’s goodwill with the Union Ministry for External Affairs. The ministry subsequently conducted an inquiry and relayed relevant information to the Secretary. The feedback indicated the company in question lacked potential suggested in the concept note and the Fisheries department left the matter without taking any kind of decision in the regard.
Later, that group participated in the foreign investments meet convened in January of 2020 and presented another proposal. That’s all. What kind of role does Fisheries Department have in all this? Saying that a public sector unit signed an MoU for a massive project after the Opposition leader commenced his rally on 2 February, is simply preposterous.
As part of a political conspiracy there was some move in the direction, albeit unknown to the departmental Secretary or the department, which was subsequently repealed by the government. The new row now revolves around para 2 and 9 of the Fisheries policy.
The 2019 policy of the Fisheries states that protection will be lend to vessels engaged in multi-day fishing in the outer seas and such protection is limited to existing vessels. Both the Boat Owners’ Associations and Shri. Shibu Baby John was repeatedly asked if the 2nd and 9th para need to be repealed ? They never responded. Your plan to mislead the fishing community with lies will not make much headway.
The fisher folks are beneficiaries of this government’s benevolent policies. This includes : ensuring fair prices for the fishermen’s catch and ownership of fishing tools, construction of better homes for the fishing families and convert fisheries schools where their kids learn into model centres of learning, make available state-of-art technology to the community, prepare their kids for competitive exams and helping them to gain admission in professional courses like MBBS and engineering.
Upping insurance for fish workers to Rs 10 lakh, free rations and financial assistance for families when grappling with natural disasters., 3 marine ambulances to rush for rescue of fishermen at sea, provide fishermen vessels fitted with modern equipment, provides homes under Puran Geham project to those that live within 50 meters from the sea, are some of the schemes implemented by this govt for the fisher folks.
That being the truth, it is disgraceful for the Opposition leader to unleash false and heinous propaganda with backing from some monopoly media houses. The fishing community will dismiss the opposition for propagating such lies which it resorts to when completely at a loss to say anything against this govt", said the minister in her Facebook post.
