The State government is committed to ensuring better living conditions for those living in Kerala’s coastal areas, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. He was speaking after inaugurating the construction of flats to rehabilitate fishing families at Muttathara on Wednesday. Pathetic living Kerala has made great strides in the various human development indices. However, when we compare the indices in the coastal area to the State average, we will find that these achievements have not been reflected in the coasts. The pathetic living conditions of the fishing community in the State is a cause of concern. This is despite the fact that 15 per cent of the country’s seafood exports are from Kerala, said Mr. Vijayan. He pointed out the unpredictable nature of life in the coast, the drastic reduction in fish population and the technical issues arising out of the implementation of the Coastal Zone Regulations as the reasons for this state of affairs. With the arrival of every monsoon, a large number of people living in our coastlines end up losing their houses. They are regularly shifted to rehabilitation camps, throwing their normal lives out of gear. The State government has now formulated a comprehensive project to ensure housing for all. The model being followed in this coast will be replicated across all districts, said the Chief Minister.As part of the project, a total of 160 houses across eight blocks will be built at the government’s land in Muttathara. Fisheries Minister J.Mercykutty Amma appealed to religious and other organisations in the area to spare more land, as the government is facing a shortage of the same to build houses for all families. From the surveys conducted, we have found that in Thiruvananthapuram district alone, we will have to rehabilitate 4,000 families. Land is therefore an issue. If the various organisations pitch in with land in their possession, we can tide over these issues. The Church has already agreed to spare a few acres of land in Poonthura, she said. The Minister said that preference will be given to those living in rehabilitation camps first and later for those living in the first two lines of houses at the coast. The government has now decided to increase the allocation for each house to Rs. 4 lakh. We can stretch it to Rs. 6 lakh. The beneficiaries also need to pitch in with their contributions, she said.
2017, The Hindu.