Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 22 : East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India President Vasupalli Janakiram highlighted the administrative lapses following a fatal boating incident off the Gangavaram coast, stating that the state government has completely failed to secure the lives of fishermen.
Speaking to ANI, the President of the East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India addressed the fatal accident on July 4, emphasising the stance of the state government on concerns regarding fishermen's safety.
He said, "On July 4, a fishing boat capsized near the Gangavaram coast. In that incident, almost 6 fishermen lost their lives. The search operations, rescue operations, everything remains a big question mark. The Government of Andhra Pradesh completely failed to safeguard the fishermen's lives. At least the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh should have conducted a review meeting regarding the incident, but she hasn't.
Highlighting the compounding risks as heavy rains and cyclonic weather approach the region, he further warned, "Now the coming season is the rainy season, bringing floods, cyclones, and super cyclones. During this time, thousands of fishermen will be venturing into the sea."
"What about the security of these fishermen's lives? The government has completely neglected this issue," Vasupalli Janakiram added.
Calling out the severe lack of disaster response equipment and urging immediate technological upgrades, he said, "The Chief Minister, we are requesting that you take care of the fishermen's lives...police stations exist, but they have no real output."
Highlighting the scarcity of life-saving equipment despite central funding he stated, "We also ask: what about the NDRF? The Government of India releases funds every year for the NDRF, and the state government accepts these grants, but you are not implementing search operations systems or equipping rescue operations...you don't have speedboats, you don't have enough lifebuoys, and you don't have lifejackets; nothing is available."
"We must technically modernise every aspect of the communication system developed for fishermen when they venture out into the sea...this is completely objectionable," Vasupalli Janakiram said.
Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders reaffirmed that the party would provide Rs 1 crore compensation to each family of the six fishermen who lost their lives in the Visakhapatnam fishing boat tragedy once it returns to power, besides providing a new fishing boat to survivor Chinna, who lost his livelihood in the accident.
As per the release, the assurance was made while distributing Rs 49 lakh in financial assistance, Rs 7 lakh each to seven affected families, including Chinna, through cheques personally signed by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from party funds.
YSRCP leaders said the six fishermen would have survived had the government launched rescue operations immediately instead of delaying the response for nearly 18 hours.
They criticised the coalition government for failing to visit the bereaved families even after 15 days and said the administration limited its response to an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh per family.
They further questioned Fisheries Minister Atchannaidu for citing eye surgery as the reason for not visiting the victims while finding time to criticise YS Jagan, and said Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha confined her response to a video call instead of visiting the families in person.
The leaders recalled that YS Jagan personally visited the victims' families, extended financial support, and stood by them during their time of grief. They also highlighted the welfare measures introduced for fishermen during the previous YSRCP government, including enhanced oil subsidy, Matsyakara Bharosa and pension benefits at the age of 50.
Stating that fishermen deserve dignity, security and timely government support, YSRCP leaders said the party would continue its fight until every affected family receives Rs 1 crore compensation, and reiterated that a future YSRCP government would also provide a new boat to Chinna and ensure comprehensive rehabilitation for the victims' families.