Parties vie to offer aid, but fisherfolk seek better infra, livelihood

Trichy: In the battle to woo the fishing community, both DMK and AIADMK have been promising enhanced aids, but the community's real expectations are infrastructure development, coastal protection, calamity rehabilitation enforcement, societal uplift and permanent solution to maritime disputesFlash back to the MGR era, the actor-politician portrayed fishermen in films like ‘Padagotti' and ‘Meenava Nanban,' leaving a lasting impression on the community. Coastal voters in Tamil Nadu's fishing districts strongly backed AIADMK. But, in the mid-1990s, DMK began making inroads into these constituencies by cultivating solid and swing vote banks among fisherfolk.Today, there are around 40 coastal assembly segments spread across 14 districts in Tamil Nadu. In the 2016 election, AIADMK and its allies secured 22 of these seats, while DMK alliance won 18. However, by 2021, DMK and its allies surged ahead, capturing 34 of them. This year, both parties have promised to increase financial assistance given to fishermen during the 61-day fishing ban, from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per family. The DMK has gone further by pledging to raise lean-season relief from Rs6,000 to Rs9,000 to support families during periods of low catch.AIADMK has announced Rs25 lakh accident insurance cover for fishermen facing accidents or death at sea, introduction of sea ambulance services among other things. In contrast, TVK led by actor-politician Vijay and NTK led by Seeman have focused more sharply on safeguarding fishermen's livelihoods amid the ongoing conflict with Sri Lanka. In his campaigns, Vijay has demanded retrieval of Katchatheevu while NTK has called for strong coastal security measures and livelihood protection. However, fishing villages continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, including modern fish landing centres, auction halls, net mending sheds, and proper approach roads. "Infrastructure development is more necessary to support increased fishing activities, improve livelihoods, and boost economic status today and not financial aids," said RMP Rajendira Nattar, a fisherfolk leader from Nagapattinam.Several villages also urgently need protective structures such as short groynes and sea walls to combat coastal erosion. Cyclone-prone districts like Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore lack adequate storm shelters. "Vulnerable villages are shrinking due to erosion, with lives and livelihoods constantly threatened by calamities. Yet, parties are not making firm commitments on building protective structures and shelters," Rajendira Nattar said.Another persistent demand is granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to traditional fishing communities, including pattanavar, paravar, sembadavar, kadayar, valaiyar, and mukkuvar groups, which are currently classified under Backward Classes (BC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC). "A vast majority of fisherfolk remain marginalised. ST status would provide better access to targeted govt schemes, reservations, and development benefits," said P Sesu Raja, a fisherfolk leader from Rameswaram. Above all, the community stresses the need for a permanent diplomatic and political solution to the recurring conflicts with Sri Lanka.