Kerala Assembly: LDF walks out after uproar over fisherfolk aid

The Opposition LDF walked out of the Kerala Assembly after the Speaker disallowed an adjournment motion on financial aid to fisherfolk. The walkout followed noisy scenes sparked by a remark from Pinarayi Vijayan about the Fisheries Minister.

The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) walked out of the Keralam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday after the Speaker disallowed an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on delays in extending financial assistance to fisherfolk during the annual trawling ban period.

Uproar Over Pinarayi's Remark

The House witnessed noisy scenes after Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan remarked that the manner in which Forest Minister Shibu Baby John intervened while Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor was replying to the motion gave the impression that the latter was incapable of answering the issue. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan objected to the remark, saying a leader like Pinarayi Vijayan should not make such a statement. Chief Minister V D Satheesan, however, defended Shibu Baby John's intervention, leading to protests from the Opposition.

As the uproar continued, Pinarayi clarified that he had not questioned the Fisheries Minister's competence. "I did not say the Fisheries Minister is incapable, nor do I think so. I only said there should not be interventions that create such an impression. When Shibu Baby John intervened, the minister yielded. It gives the impression that fishermen are being neglected in every way," he said.

Government's Response on Aid

The adjournment motion, moved by MLA and former fisheries minister Saji Cherian, sought a discussion on complaints that fishermen had not received the customary financial assistance during the trawling ban period.

Replying to the motion, Fisheries Minister Gafoor said financial assistance under the Savings-cum-Relief Scheme and free ration are being provided to fishermen. He said the first instalment of Rs 1,500 had already been disbursed in three districts and would soon be released in the remaining districts. The second instalment depends on Central assistance, and the process for securing the funds has already begun, he added.

Chief Minister Satheesan said the government had allocated a higher outlay for the fisheries sector in the Budget and described the coastal community as one of the government's priorities. He alleged that only a nominal amount had been spent from the Rs 5,000-crore coastal package during the previous government and that not a single rupee from the Rs 2,000-crore Ockhi rehabilitation package had been utilised. He also assured the House that if Central funds were delayed, the state government would step in to ensure that fishermen received their benefits without delay.

Following the Speaker's refusal to admit the adjournment motion, the Opposition walked out of the House in protest.

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