The Latin Diocese in Kerala has hit out against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government saying that the deep-sea fishing deal controversy will be a major part of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council has said that the stance of the government in the matter has not been up to the mark and the people are catching up to the issue.
The CPM government had been under fire for their dealing with multinational company EMCC India for the deals allowing the manufacturing of over 400 trawlers for deep-sea fishing and a processing plant at Pallipuram. While Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma and Industries Minister EP Jayarajan had denied such dealings, following public outrage they had to cancel the deals.
EMCC India had signed a deal with Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation for the trawlers and another with Kerala State Industries Development Corporation for the processing plant at the Mega Food Park in Pallipuram.
After the meeting of the KRLCC, Bishop Joseph Kariyil said that Fisheries and Industries departments, which awarded the contract, had constantly denied the deals, displayed criminal negligence, and repeatedly lied about it. He added that their actions would be reflected in the elections.
Jacobite faction Metropolitan of Niranam diocese Geevarghese Mar Coorilos has come forward in support of the Latin faction in the deep-sea fishing issue. The latter had earlier claimed that the left had done something that shouldn’t have even thought of. This is the first that the Jacobite faction is criticising the LDF government’s deep-sea fishing deal.
