Traditional fishing community demand basic infrastructure facilities at jetty
They are the most neglected lot. And perhaps the mostscorned too.
Some 200-odd strong fishing community of Agassaim is up inarms against the government for failing to provide basic infrastructurefacilities to them.
For many years, the fishing community has been demanding theconstruction of a ramp of around 25 meters and a shade near the Agassaim jettyto store their nets, especially during the monsoons.
Each one of them has to bear annual loss of around Rs30,000, as their nets and canoes get damaged specially during the monsoons, allthanks to the government.
“I have written fourtimes to the concerned department and also took former MLA, Francis Silviera’ssupport to get basic infrastructural facilities. The department officials didnothing except conduct inspections of the site,” said the Agassaim Sarpanch,Jaime Anthonio Afanso.
Many from the community gave up studies to carry forward thefamily occupation of fishing.
“It’s an irony that the State government is doing nothing topreserve the traditional business of the ramponkars and those who gatherclams,” said 67-years-old Xavier Silva who got involved into the fishingactivity when he was just 11-years-old.
The issue was raised at various gram sabhas where membersraised concern over the required facilities to carry out fishing activity butall our demands fell on deaf ears complained another local resident, AndrewFernandes.
According to sources the actual tussle is because thefishing community was backing former MLA of St Andre Francis Silveira. The newMLA wants the fishing community to approach him for help.
“Although I am aware of the demand of the fishing communityno one till date has approached me. If they come to me I will certainly helpthem,” said St Andre MLA, Vishnu Wagh.
