Congress Leader VD Satheesan Criticizes Kerala Government for Neglecting Fishermen’s Plight

Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], July 14: Congress leader VD Satheesan has voiced strong criticism against the Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, for failing to address the severe issues faced by the state’s fishermen. Satheesan emphasized that the fishermen are suffering due to various factors, including climate change, high kerosene prices, and the unavailability of fish.

Satheesan stated, “The government should build sea walls. In these areas, before the impact of climate change, the erosion started. The government is not able to build the sea walls in many places. They have built it at some places but still there are many places left. They (fishermen) are suffering too much. Many houses were taken away by the sea and there is no rehabilitation scheme. The fishermen’s community is a very poor community. They are facing many problems because of the price of kerosene, unavailability of fish and climate change. They cannot live. They cannot afford to pay rent so they are living in damaged houses.”

He also pointed out the need for both short-term and long-term measures. “Short term measure is to pay their rent or rehabilitate them somewhere and long term measure is to build sea walls,” Satheesan added.

Earlier this month, Satheesan targeted the ruling left government in Kerala over soil erosion, which is affecting the lives of the fishing community. He noted, “There are no roads as they are washed away. People who can’t live there, especially poor fishermen, are facing issues as they are struggling to make ends meet. Their only livelihood is fishing; they are leaving the place. Unfortunately, the government isn’t doing anything.”

Satheesan also highlighted that the Arabian Sea has become increasingly turbulent, further impacting the fishing community.