Fisheries minister denies US deal allegations
KOCHI: Kerala’s Minister for Fisheries J Mercykuty Amma on Saturday refuted all allegations raised by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala with regard to “deep sea fishing deal with a US firm.”
“The allegations that a contract was signed as per the discussions held are totally baseless. The representatives of the said company had met me in Kerala. I had conveyed to them that the project can’t be implemented because of the government policy,” the minister said. However, she admited that she had attended a United Nations event in New York on invitation. She denied holding discussion with any American company during her visit to US.
“Many people had visited me in this regard and it is only natural. The photo released relates to such an occasion. It is ridiculous TO release a photo with such build-up. The Opposition Leader shouldn’t stoop so low,” Mercykuty Amma said. Chennithala had alleged that government altered its policy to allow a foreign company for deep sea fishing.
“He (Chennithala) alleged that a clause in paragraph 2.9 of the fisheries policy was altered. However, the clause pertains to fishing boats. Chennithala twisted it and presented as the approval for foreign vessels for deep sea trawling”, the minister said. It is the government policy not to allow fishing by foreign trawlers in deep sea. Even the number of fishing boats is restricted. All members of the Legislative Assembly are in possession of this document and anyone can inspect it. The government will not implement any project against the policy,” she asserted.
On Saturday, Chennithala released a picture showing a meeting between the fisheries minister and the representatives of EMCC International, allegedly, “during talks to hand over to deep-sea fishing off Kerala coast to the US firm.”
“On Friday, both Mercykuty and the Industries Minister EP Jayarajan replied that they are not aware of any such company. Now I have released the picture of Mercykuty holding discussions. I will be releasing two more documents which suggest that a four-acre plot was handed over to the US firm,” Chennithala said.