Amaravati, Sep 24 (NationPress) In response to the ongoing protests by fishermen in the Uppada area of Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district, who have rallied for a second consecutive day over issues related to sea pollution and its detrimental effects on their livelihoods, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has declared the formation of a committee to tackle the matter.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also serves as the Environment and Forest Minister, stated that this committee will include senior officials, representatives from the fishing community, and local leaders to facilitate a resolution.

The leader of the Jana Sena party emphasized that they have pinpointed urgent issues that require immediate attention. "I have been made aware of the concerns raised by the fishermen of the Uppada region regarding the pharmaceutical industry's impact on their livelihoods. I empathize with the struggles faced by the families of fishermen due to the current situation," he remarked in an official statement.

Although the ongoing Assembly sessions prevent him from visiting the fishermen directly, Pawan Kalyan assured that he has been in constant dialogue with district and state officials since Monday to seek solutions. He has ordered that all raised issues be thoroughly considered.

As the MLA for Pithapuram constituency within Kakinada district, Pawan Kalyan confirmed that the committee will comprise officials from the Pollution Control Board, as well as from the Industries, Fisheries, and Revenue Departments, alongside the Kakinada District Collector. Fishermen representatives and local leaders will also be included in this initiative.

The objective of this committee is not just to address the immediate concerns but also to enhance livelihoods and establish essential infrastructure in coastal villages. Discussions will also revolve around evaluating compensation for affected fishermen. The committee will analyze the issues faced by fishermen and produce a report with actionable recommendations.

"Once the report is completed, the government will implement suitable measures. We have already identified urgent issues needing resolution. I've discussed with officials the disbursement of insurance payments to the families of the 18 deceased fishermen and the compensation for the damaged boats at the Uppada Fishing Harbour. Appropriate measures are to be taken for these matters. Furthermore, I have emphasized the importance of providing fishing opportunities for fishermen in areas like Machilipatnam and Antarvedi," stated Pawan Kalyan.

He affirmed that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the coalition government is committed to supporting those in distress. Pawan Kalyan assured that he will elevate the issues faced by Uppada fishermen to the Chief Minister's attention, prioritizing their welfare.

After the conclusion of the Assembly sessions, he plans to sit down personally with the Uppada fishermen to discuss their concerns in depth.

For the second day in a row, numerous fishermen and their families have staged a dharna, urging the government to address the sea pollution caused by pharmaceutical companies along the coastline. They accuse these companies of releasing harmful chemicals into the sea, endangering marine life and their means of livelihood.

The protestors blocked the Uppada-Kakinada-Pithapuram road to express their grievances.

Meanwhile, Kakinada District Collector Shan Mohan Sagili visited the site of the protest to listen to the fishermen's complaints, who demanded compensation of ₹1.50 lakh for each affected family. The Collector assured that their representatives would be included in the committee to discuss and resolve the ongoing issues.