Udupi: KPCC President D K Shivakumar said he was confident of his party bouncing back to power.

Addressing fishermen in Malpe on Tuesday, he said if Congress comes to power, the party’s priority was to ensure a better livelihood to fishermen community. As fishermen contribute substantiate amount to state exchequer, they will be assured of pension to secure make their retired life, he said.

Kerala government is offering pension and thus it is necessary that Karnataka too emulates the same. Shivakumar urged BJP government to make amendments in CRZ (coastal regulation zone) guidelines, which prevents fishermen from constructing house and other activities.

Fishermen from neighbouring states should be prevented from fishing in Karnataka coast. He ridiculed government for keeping diesel subsidy pending since four months. The restrictions imposed on supply of kerosene and reducing number of crew from 35 to 9 in a purse seine boat is unjustified, he declared.

The government offers 10% of fuel in the form of subsidy as fishermen generally need 400 liters of diesel every month. He urged fishermen to register under labour and social welfare departments for availing benefits.

He declared that fishing was the most risky occupation and thus the grievances of fishermen community should be redressed, he stressed.

Shivakumar said he would request a delegation of fishermen to visit him in Bengaluru soon.

He said he is non-political in his approach to the problems faced by the fishermen and thus be a voice of voiceless fishermen, he added.