0
HYDERABAD, Jan 7: The Pakistan Fisher folks Forum, Manchhar Lake unit, has urged the Sindh government to restore the licence system and acknowledge the right of fishermen to catch fish in sweet water lakes , especially the Manchhar Lake, Chotiari Dam, Keenjhar Lake, Sindh Dharo and the River Indus.
Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Friday, forum leaders said that due to their struggle, free fishing rights were announced for one year, but three days before the end of the period, the fisheries director issued a notification that one-fourth of the catch would be recovered by the department from December 16, 2004.
They said that the director had also announced that fish catching would be auctioned in future and that the orders were in effect at present, which was injustice with the fishermen.
They said that an amendment bill was moved in the assembly on January 28, 2003, for introduction of licence system for five large lakes of the region. But the bill was still pending, they regretted.
They demanded that the licence system be restored; release of toxic water into the lake stopped forthwith; fishermen protected against tyranny of contractors, feudal lords and outlaws; as well as atrocities of law enforcement agencies.
Our Sanghar Correspondent adds: The Pakistan Fisher folks Forum has demanded restoration of the fishing licence system. Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Friday, local PFF leaders said that there were about 200 lakes along the Nara canal that were auctioned during 1966-67.
During the Bhutto era, the contract system was abolished and the licence system revived, they said, alleging that the contract system was imposed once again during the Benazir era. They demanded that licence system for the Bakkar, Makhi and Kahkaoo lakes be revived and water supplied to the lakes that were drying up.
SPSC: The Sindh Public Service Commission here on Thursday announced that test for posts of lecturers in statistics, Muslim/Islamic history, Pakistan studies and geography in the Sindh education and literacy department would be held on Feb 8 and 9 at the head office of the commission in Hyderabad. He said the programme for remaining posts would be announced soon.
RECRUITMENT: The Army Selection and Recruitment Centre, Hyderabad, on Thursday announced its mobile recruitment programme. According to the schedule, the mobile recruitment team will visit the Shahdadpur town committee on Jan 24, Badin town committee on Jan 26 and the Matli town committee on Jan 27 for registration and selection for recruitment in the army.
SUGARCANE CESS: The directorate of agriculture, information, has notified that the Sindh government had amended the Sindh Sugarcane (development) Cess Rules, 1964. According to the amendment, one MPA from a district concerned will be nominated by the government as a member of the district sugarcane cess committee.
