Port Blair, July 28:
Port Blair, July 27: The 15-day standoff between the general public and fishermen of Billyground and Nimbudera in Middle Andaman over fish prices came to an end on Wednesday after the latter agreed to abide by the orders of the District Administration.
Following demands from the general public, PRI members and Pradhans of various Panchayats, the District Administration of the North and Middle Andaman region notified uniform prices of various varieties of fish for every markets in the region on July 14. However, Fishermen of Nimbudera, Billyground and nearby areas declined to accept the rates of the administration and threatened to sale of fishes.
To resolve the issue, the District Administration revised the rates of various varieties of fishes. This time, the general public refused to accept the revised rates of fishes and stopped purchase since July 26 following which the fishers gave in to public demands and agreed to obey the rates fixed by the government on July 14.
“The face-off proved costly for the fishermen. None of the residents of Nimbudera, Billyground and nearby areas purchased fish since July 26 and the fishers become wary of economic setback. The unity of the public forced the fishermen to give in to public demands and ultimately on Wednesday, they agreed to vend fishes as per the rates notified by the government authority on July 14,” said some Billyground residents.
Thats the power of common man, whereas South Andaman district housing the capital Port Blair of the Islands has no unity, which paves the way for traders, transporters, vendors,..to rule on us. N&M dist. was the first to issue LED lights, we are light years away. N&M admn. has price charts for vegetables, fish etc.., do we have any?