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Don’t let foreign fishing vessels swamp Indian EEZ, PM urged

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Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a series of steps so that the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is not swamped by foreign fishing vessels.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, he said the recent decisions of the union agriculture ministry “could in effect lead to swamping by foreign fishing vessels in India’s EEZ and also increase the regulatory burden on domestic fishing fleets”.

“The new guidelines issued by the government of India will adversely affect the local fishermen in Tamil Nadu because, out of the 5,500 mechanised fishing boats in Tamil Nadu, more than 80 percent of the boats are above 15 metres in OAL (overall length) and are engaged in near-shore fishing just beyond the territorial waters of India,” Panneerselvam said.

“Obtaining LOPs (Letters of Permission) from the government of India and voyage clearances from the Indian Coast Guard for each fishing voyage is extremely impractical,” he said.

Panneerselvam also said the new guidelines are illegal as it contravenes Section 7(5) of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.

Under these provision, an Indian citizen need not get any licence or letter of authority from the central government for fishing in the EEZ.

Panneerselvam said the consolidated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy does not allow foreign investment in the fisheries sector.

“Hence the notification dated 12.11.2014 bringing within the ambit of the operator, a joint venture company with at least 51 percent Indian equity is not in conformity with the consolidated FDI policy circular, 2014.”

“The government of Tamil Nadu reiterates its stand that all vessels below an OAL of 20 metres owned by fishermen should be given free access to the Indian EEZ whether they are registered under the State Marine Fishing Regulation Act or by other approved agencies,” Panneerselvam said.

He urged Modi to reject the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Comprehensive Review of Deep Sea Fishing Policy and Guidelines under the chairpersonship of B. Meenakumari. The recommendations are detrimental to the welfare and livelihood of the fishermen, he added.

Panneerselvam said the central government should rescind the guidelines on deep sea fishing issued on November 12, 2014, and the public notice of November 28, 2014, allowing the foreign fishing vessels under LOP in the Indian EEZ in order to fully protect the interests of our fishermen.

Urging Modi that foreign fishing vessels should be allowed to fish in India’s EEZ, he said foreign joint ventures should not be allowed to undertake deep sea fishing in the country’s EEZ.

“Clearly define fishing vessels of length below 24 metres OAL as coastal fishing vessels and fishing vessels of length 24 metres OAL and above as deep sea fishing vessel,” Panneerselvam said.

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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