Gandhinagar, DeshGujarat

Fisheries Minister Babu Bokhiria today in reply to Congress MLAs in Gujarat assembly threw light over several important aspects of problem regarding mid-sea arrests of Gujarat fishermen by Pakistan Marine Security Agency for alleged violation of International Marine Boundary Line.

-There are around 5.58 lakh fishermen in Gujarat.

-When Indian fishing boats are captured by Pakistan and Government of Gujarat is informed about it officially by Coast Guard, the government collects photographs and identity proofs of all fishermen arrested by Pakistan and send evidences to Ministry of Home, Government of India which are later forwarded to Pakitan government via Ministry of External Affairs and Consulate offices. Later Pakistan government matches photographs sent by our government with photographs of fishermen in jail. This identification and verification process takes time, and later the process of release begins.

-Between 2013 and February 2015, government efforts have ensured freedom of 746 fishermen. SInce 1994 total 5379 fishermen are released from Pakistan jail. Government bears cost of their travel from Wagah border to coastal Gujarat.

-Transponders are fitted by government in 899 fishing boats under the Government of India scheme to protect fishermen against cyclone, rough atmosphere and border crossing by mistake.

-Between 2002 and 2008, Government has provided GPS to 1318 fishing boats. In 2015-16 the government has proposed GPS to 2000 more boats.

-Gujarat government provides Distress Alert Transmission System(DAT) equipments for medical or cyclone related emergencies and prevention of border crossing.

-Patrolling of Coast Guard takes place to prevent fishermen from crossing the International Marine Boundary Line. When Indian Coast Guard finds boats in ‘no fishing zone’, license of such boats are canceled.

-To provide guidance to fishermen, various awareness programms and seminars are held in cooperation with Coast Guard, Marine Police and Navy etc. Between 2004 and 2015, total 784 such programmes are held which include street play, camp, gathering, rally etc.

-In 2004, the government started providing per day Rs. 50 relief to family of fisherman captured by Pakistan until his release from jail. As per then Chief Minister(Narendra Modi)’s announcement in Sagar Khedu sammelan at Veraval on 13 August 2012, the government increased per day relief amount from Rs. 50 to Rs. 150. In year 2013-14, government paid Rs. 129.72 lakh relief amount. In 2014-15 till February, the government paid Rs. 107.52 lakh relief amount. between 2004 and 2014, government has paid Rs. 7,32,50,600 relief amount. Further increase in this relief amount is not advisable for reasons that can’t be revealed here.

-At present 344 fishermen are in Pakistani jail.

-Pakistan has captured 858 Indian fishing boats that are not returned. Since 2004, not a single boat has been released.

-With the approval of Government of India led by Shri Narendra Modi, the state government in July 2014 sent an 8-member team to Pakistan for inspection of Indian fishing boats lying in Pakistan’s custody. Though Pakistan had captured over 800 Indian fishing boats(that are not returned since 2004), only 57 were found parked at Karachi port when Gujarat delegation reached there. If UPA government had employed sincere efforts in 2004 itself when Pakistan stopped returning our boats, more boats could come back and not just 57.

-In continuation of efforts by government to bring back the boats of poor fishermen of Gujarat, on 9 March 2015, 2 state government officers, 4 prominent fishermen and 2 boat mechanics – total 8-member team was sent to Pakistan. This team is active in Karachi in Pakistan in effort to bring back 57 Indian fishing boats through sea route. The state government has ensured fast forward passport process and sent visa application of 157 boat men to Delhi so that they can travel to Pakistan by sea route and bring back 57 Indian boats lying there. The entire cost to bring back these boats will be beared by government.

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