BADIN: Meeting rejects contract system - Fishermen's right over Badin waters recognized
By Our Correspondent
BADIN, Feb 21: Sindh Minister for Population Welfare Syed Ali Bux Shah and the chief minister's adviser on fisheries Jadam Mangrio arrived here on Monday and held a meeting with a five-member committee of fishermen.
They reached an accord which was announced at a joint press conference attended by District Nazim Kamal Chang, DCO Mumtaz Ali Shah and fishermen's representatives Mohammad Ali Shah, Mithan Mallah, Prof Abdullah Mallah, Haji Abdul Rehman and Mohammad Essa Mallah.
Syed Ali Bux Shah said all the members of the fishermen committee as well as representatives of the government agreed that the contract system for fishing in the coastal area was not beneficial for fishermen and should be abolished.
Mr Shah said the agreement reached was in the best interests of fishermen and a final announcement of settlement would be made by Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Feb 28 or 29.
He said the fishermen would be given rights through formation of fishermen cooperative society. The society will consist of 15 members including seven members from the fishermen to run the affairs.
The district nazim said one member from the district government would also be nominated in the fishermen cooperative society. Adviser Jadam Mangrio announced to postpone fishing contracts in Manchhar and Keenjhar lakes. After the settlement of the problem, Mohammad Ali Shah announced the postponement of the protest call given by the Pakistan Fisher folk Forum.
OUR DADU CORRESPONDENT ADDS: A large number of fishermen of the Manchhar Lake took out a procession here on Monday, demanding fishing rights on Manchhar waters. Led by Mohammad Arib Mallah and Khairuddin Mallah, they marched through main roads of the town and held a demonstration outside the DCO's office.
Speaking on the occasion, leaders of the fishermen demanded that they should be issued fishing rights licenses. They opposed the contract fishing system, saying it would deprive local fishermen of their source of livelihood. They announced that the fishermen would launch a protest drive if the contract system was introduced at the lake.
