AGARTALA: The Tripura State Fishermen’s Union convened a state-level conference to address critical issues impacting the livelihood, social security, and economic rights of the state’s fishing community.
Delegates and representatives from various remote regions gathered to push for administrative interventions aimed at empowering local fishermen and boosting fish production.
Key Discussion Points & Demands
- Control of Waterbodies & Cooperative Empowerment: The union demanded that management rights of public waterbodies be systematically handed over to primary Fishermen Cooperative Societies. They also called for regular, transparent cooperative elections and mandatory audits to ensure financial accountability.
- Financial Assistance & Social Security: Delegates urged the administration to extend targeted financial aid, subsidized equipment, and robust social security schemes to safeguard traditional fishing families against economic vulnerability.
- Production & Employment Generation: The conference emphasized optimizing the usage of natural and artificial water resources to enhance local fish production, thereby generating sustainable employment opportunities across rural Tripura.
- Administrative Attention for Remote Regions: Union members highlighted the persistent hardships faced by fishermen in interior areas, calling on government departments to streamline welfare delivery and infrastructure support.
Key Leadership Address
Addressing the conference, All India Fishermen Union Leader Sudhan Das detailed the core challenges confronting the community and outlined the roadmap for future rights-based movements:
“Empowering the fishing community requires structural changes—ensuring proper management of waterbodies, strengthening our cooperative framework, and securing fair economic rights. We will continue our united movement to guarantee the financial security and dignity of every fisherman in Tripura.”
— Sudhan Das, Senior Leader, All India Fishermen Union
Key Stakeholders Present
- Sudhan Das: Senior Leader, All India Fishermen Union.
- State committee office bearers and regional delegates representing primary fishermen cooperative societies.
