Fisherfolk seek higher compensation for men who died in Murasu cyclone

Various associations have urged the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to increase the compensation provided to families of fishermen from Kasimedu who died in the recent Murasu cyclone.

Neithal Makkal Katchi’s K. Bharathi said the amount of ₹7 lakh was hardly enough to safeguard the interests of families of those who have lost their sole breadwinners. The kin of people who died in a hooch tragedy and during a political meeting were provided larger amounts as compensation.

Manivannan of the Chennai Mechanised Boat Owners Assocation, said that the amount was too less. “We are not sure if this amount is from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or from the Fishermen’s Welfare fund. Usually the ₹7 lakh compensation is split as ₹2 lakh from the welfare fund and ₹5 lakh from the Central government. The boat owner has also promised to pay ₹2 lakh each to the families,” he said.

Community leader Nanjil Ravi said that apart from the government compensation, what is needed is proper insurance cover for fishermen. “Everytime people travel by air, they are given the option of an insurance cover. Fishermen too need insurance according to the ailment or accident or if they die, their families must get term insurance. Right now, though boats are insured the men get very less as compensation.”

Activist T. S. S. Mani said that rescue measures were not enough when such incidents happening on the sea. “Disasters can happen at any time, not just during cyclones. Men get lost during regular voyages. Officials must understand that fishermen live very tough lives. The community feels betrayed during such incidents as government support seems very minimal.”

An insurance expert said that insurance is usually tied up with respective boats that will be treated as a company and the men are treated as its staff. “You cannot change the men if someone does not come to work. Insurance will only apply for the same set of men,” she said.