The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a counter affidavit in response to a public interest litigation seeking an increase in financial assistance for fishermen during the 61-day fishing ban period. The plea, filed by G. Thirumurugan of Ramanathapuram district, requests that the compensation be raised from the current Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per family.
Court Proceedings
A division bench comprising Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice M. Jothiraman heard the petition on Monday. The court issued the directive to the state government to submit its response regarding the demand for enhanced relief.
Petitioner's Arguments
The petitioner highlighted that the fishing ban on the east coast is enforced from April 15 to June 14 each year. However, coastal fishing villages in Kanyakumari district along the Arabian Sea, such as Thoothoor, Eraviputhenthurai, Vallavilai, Neerodi, Chinnathurai, Poothurai, Colachel, and adjoining regions, follow the west coast marine fishing regulation pattern. These areas are subject to a separate statutory ban from June 1 to July 31, aligning with Kerala's west coast fishing ban.
During the ban period, thousands of fishing families dependent on deep-sea fishing in the Arabian Sea lose their livelihood and income, making them eligible for adequate compensation and welfare assistance. The petitioner argued that the current compensation of Rs 8,000 for an entire family over 61 days is insufficient for basic subsistence, pushing families into debt, bonded labor, exploitative private loans, and forced migration every fishing ban season.
Demand for Enhanced Assistance
The petition seeks a direction to the authorities to provide a minimum relief of Rs 20,000 per month to every registered fisherman and fishing family in Tamil Nadu. The court has yet to decide on the matter, awaiting the state government's counter affidavit.
