HC summons officials on relief given to fishers affected by SL

A division bench comprising Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice R Suresh Kumar, offered the direction on perusing a counter affidavit filed by the Union Department of Fisheries, which revelated the sanction of Rs 300 Crore. 

The submission was based on a plea moved by Fishermen Care, an organisation working for the welfare of fishermen. Their primary plea sought implementation of rehabilitation schemes for the affected fishermen as directed by the court.

Prima facie it appeared that the Centre under the ‘’Blue Revolution’’ scheme - Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries - had provided a financial assistance of Rs 300 crores to the State for providing relief to the adversely affected fishermen, who were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy after they happened to cross the maritime boundaries, the bench said.

Also, noting that the Tamil Nadu government had not filed its counter affidavit though the PIL petition was pending for the last two years, the bench also referred to the order of earlier bench which directed the authorities to ensure welfare schemes and development programmes to be implemented in letter and spirit.