FishermenTragedy – Jagan Mohan Reddy Announces Aid for Families of Missing Fishermen
FishermenTragedy -Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh each for the families of six fishermen who remain missing after their fishing boat overturned off the Visakhapatnam coast on July 4. He also declared an ex gratia payment of Rs 7 lakh for the lone survivor, Kari Chinna, while expressing concern over the handling of the rescue operation.
Jagan Meets Families in Visakhapatnam
During his visit to Visakhapatnam, the YSR Congress Party president met the families affected by the accident and assured them of the party’s support. He said the assistance was intended to provide immediate financial relief to those facing uncertainty after the incident.
The fishing boat capsized in the waters off the Visakhapatnam coastline earlier this month. While one fisherman survived the accident, six others are still missing despite search efforts. Their families continue to await information about their loved ones.
Questions Raised Over Rescue Response
Addressing the media after meeting the families, Jagan alleged that delays in launching an effective rescue operation had significantly reduced the possibility of locating the missing fishermen. He claimed that valuable time was lost in the initial stages following the accident.
According to him, there was inadequate coordination among the district administration, police, and other government departments despite authorities receiving information about the incident. He argued that a faster and more coordinated response could have improved the rescue efforts.
Inquiry Report Comes Under Criticism
The former chief minister also questioned the findings of the three-member inquiry committee appointed by the State government to examine the incident. He alleged that the committee’s report contained inaccurate details regarding the timeline of communication with the victims’ families.
Jagan claimed the report did not correctly reflect when family members were informed about the accident and accused the government of attempting to shield officials from accountability. He maintained that a transparent investigation was necessary to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy.
Demand for Higher Compensation
Criticising the government’s overall response, Jagan said no State minister had personally visited the affected families following the accident. He described the absence of senior government representatives as disappointing during a difficult period for the victims’ relatives.
He urged the State government to provide compensation of Rs 1 crore to each of the six affected families, arguing that the incident highlighted administrative shortcomings. In addition to financial support for the families, he called for compensation for the fishing boat that was lost in the accident, saying the vessel represented the livelihood of those involved.
Families Continue to Await Answers
The incident has drawn attention to the safety of fishermen operating along the Andhra Pradesh coast and the preparedness of emergency response agencies during maritime accidents. With six fishermen still unaccounted for, the affected families continue to seek clarity on the rescue efforts and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The State government’s inquiry into the incident remains under scrutiny as political leaders and family members continue to raise questions about the response to the accident. Meanwhile, the financial assistance announced by the YSR Congress Party is expected to provide some immediate support to the families as they cope with the ongoing uncertainty.