Mangaluru: Speaking at a press meet on Thursday May 20, Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj stated that the fishing sector was not included in the financial package announced by chief minister B S Yediyurappa on May 19.

“Due to the second wave, the chief minister has announced a package worth Rs 1,250 crore for unorganized workers and those engaged in petty trades or operating auto rickshaw, cab, taxi drivers, artists, vegetable vendors and farmers,” he said.

He stated that the package looks biased as some sections are completely neglected like the fisherman community. Several families are dependent on fishing and nothing has been announced for them. If government had considered the fishing sector while announcing packages, it would have helped them. The government has not released diesel subsidy since December.

He said “I, Abhayachandra Jain and Mithun Rai have faced losses despite working, while the BJP gained the votes of fishermen community speaking about religion and other emotional factors.”