Chennai, Dec 18 (IANS) AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Friday demanded that the central government withdraw the Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Bill to protect the livelihood of fishermen.
In a statement here, she said: “Destroying the livelihood of the Indian fishermen to enable exports to Europe is certainly unacceptable. The government should realise that welfare of its people is important than anything else.”

She said restricting the fishermen from going beyond 12 nautical miles from the shore will destroy their livelihood and it is akin to asking them to jettison their traditional avocation.”

Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minsiter M. Karunanidhi’s letter thanking Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for deferring introduction of the bill, Jayalalithaa said: “With the letter Karunanidhi has washed his hands of the issue.”

“When Kachchateevu - an islet in Palk Strait - was given to Sri Lanka, Karunanidhi was the chief minister. The fishermen are terrified as Karunanidhi is at the helm now.”

She declared the AIADMK will oppose the bill as and when it is introduced in parliament.

“We will not allow fishermen who make their livelihood on water to float in their tears,” she said.