'It is not a crime for EMCC officials to come and see me'; minister Mercykutty Amma lashes out at Chennithala

KOLLAM: Minister Mercykutty Amma has reiterated that she did not hold any talks with the EMCC officials in the United States. The Minister read out the Fisheries Policy in reply to the allegation that the Fisheries Policy was amended for foreign trawlers.

"EMCC officials have visited me at the office. It is not a crime for people to come and see me. Deep sea fishing was not discussed," he said. The minister said that anything would be decided in line with the government's policy and no force would be allowed to question the policy. Mercykutty Amma said that the Leader of the Opposition should not stoop so low by raising baseless allegations.

Claiming that the fisheries policy was transparent and Mercykutty Amma accused Chennithala of misinterpreting the policy. She also asked if Chennithala could be accused of being involved in gold smuggling just because he was seen with Swapna Suresh. "Just because someone has signed an MoU somewhere, no one would be able to fish in the state. If any officials act contrary to the policy of the government, they will be solely responsible for it," she added.