CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to strongly take up the attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen with Sri Lanka during the talks to be held with the island nation in January 2012. Insisting that these attacks should be viewed as attacks on the country, she said that there have been 30 incidents of attack, harassment and apprehension by Lankan Navy/miscreants against the fishermen since the AIADMK took charge in May 2011. In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister , she said all efforts must be made to protect the traditional fishing rights of TN fishermen in the Palk Bay and ensure their safety and security.Recalling her earlier request for a special package for conversion of bottom trawlers into deep sea tuna Long Liners suitable for deep sea fishing to reduce the trawling fishing pressure in the disputed waters of the Palk Bay area, Jayalalithaa said the Prime Minister should take steps immediately for taking an appropriate decision in this regard by the Marine Products Export Development Authority.The Chief Minister also requested for an assistance of Rs 10 crore every year to take up dredging of fishing harbours and bar mouths each year. However, no reply has been received in this regard from the Centre. The State was entitled to Interest Relief on National Small Savings Fund loans to an extent of Rs 228 crore and debt waiver relief of Rs 212 crore. The Centre should issue necessary orders in this regard. Settlement of pending compensation of Rs 3,861.82 crore on account of phasing out of Central Sales Tax (CST) and exemption from the Food Security Bill were among the issues taken up by the Chief Minister.
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