Form special committee led by Prime Minister to address fishermen issue: T.R. Baalu

T.R. Baalu
| Photo Credit: S.R. RAGHUNATHAN

Considering the recurring incidents of mid-sea attacks on fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy, the Union government should form a special committee headed by the Prime Minister to discuss the issue and take it up with his Sri Lankan counterpart, said Leader of the DMK Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha and party treasurer T.R. Baalu on Thursday.

Speaking to mediapersons after the all-party meeting convened by the Union government ahead of the Budget session of Parliament in Delhi, Mr. Baalu said talks at the level of External Affairs Minister had not produced positive results and fishermen from the State continued to be attacked.

Mr. Baalu said his party demanded discussion on the various issues pertaining to Tamil Nadu during the Budget session, which included the draft guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission for higher education institutions, devolution of funds to the State, allocation for natural calamities and conduct of caste census. He also said the DMK MPs would raise the issue of Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi “acting against the Constitution of India, demanding his removal.”

Frequency of attacks

Speaking to The Hindu, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan said the frequency of attacks against fishermen from Tamil Nadu have increased in the recent months, which need to be discussed.

G.K. Vasan
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU

“Considering the importance of the Budget session, during which several issues pertaining to various departments will be discussed, the Union government should ensure that smaller parties get adequate time to participate in the discussion,” he said.