*The Light of Andamans :: Issue 44 :: 3 Dec 2007*

*Fisheries Caught in their Own Net*

By Staff Reporter

The anti-corruption unit of the administration launched a raid on the office
of the Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman on a tip-off that huge
fishing materials procured for distribution under the scheme 'supply of
essential fisheries requirement' amongst the fishermen of the islands was
lying piled up in the office awaiting distribution since 2003. The scheme is
a yearly one and the materials are procured and distributed every year to
help the fishing community replenish its old, worn out and unusable stock of
fishing gear.
The fishing gear were specifically procured for the scheme, many of the
items directly from the manufacturers, at 50 per cent subsidy at cost. The
items were distributed again on subsidy to the fishermen at dirt cheap rates
as compared to the market price. The anti-corruption unit alleged that
instead of distributing it amongst the fishermen, the department would
remain piled up and after a couple of years, old stock would be sold to
selected people with the right connections and shown as if they were sold to
genuine fishermen against their licensed numbers. It was a very old practice
going on in the department, sources revealed.
Insiders revealed, on condition of anonymity, that everything is now sought
to be attributed to tsunami. But in fact, the quantities were stocked up
since the year 2003 when tsunami hadn't even come along. It was also
revealed that over 550 applications of needy fishermen were also discovered
to have applied for the gear.
Acting on a tip off the anti-corruption unit of chief vigilance office
raided the offices of the assistant director of fisheries in-charge last
week. A physical inspection of the records and the stock revealed that huge
quantities of nylon nets, nylon fishing line, hooks, weighing scales and
such accessories of daily use of the fishermen is lying in the gowdown
awaiting distribution.
The anti-corruption unit found out that out of over 550 applications from
fishermen requesting for fishing gears, only about half a dozen applicants
were issued with the items and that too selectively.
On investigation, the Assistant Director pointed all fingers toward the
Director of Fisheries. But in light of the documents seized, the charges
against the director just would not stick.
The Anti Corruption Bureau alleged that the materials purchased for
distribution was issued against fake documents to undeserving people. The
Bureau also found that the materials go back to the supplier who sells it
over and over again to the same buyer: the A&N Fisheries department. This
racket was practised for years together with impunity since nobody could
dare bring the matter to light for fear of reprisal.
Nageshwar Rao, Deputy Superintendent of Police told this reporter that the
matter was under investigation. He admitted that there were enough materials
to proceed against the erring officers and officials if the chief vigilance
officer permits the anti-corruption unit to proceed. The preliminary report
was already sent to the CVO, said Nageshwar Rao. He however, lamented that
the permission, at times, took too long to come through and that influenced
the outcome.
E.K. Ravindran has been the Assistant Director of Fisheries South Andaman
for quite a few years. He also holds the charge of Assistant Director of
Fisheries, Nicobar district. He is due to retire in June, next year, it is
learnt.


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