Subsidy bonanza for fishermen

* Rs 81 per litre for kerosene-driven boats

* 40 percent relief for diesel-driven vessels

Ridma Dissanayake

Government yesterday announced unprecedented relief measures to the fishing community who would be affected by the fuel price hike. Accordingly a fuel subsidy of Rs. 30,000 will be provided to every multi-day fishing trawler while a one day fishing boat will receive a fuel subsidy of Rs. 18,000 per month. Addressing the media following a crucial meeting with representatives of district fisheries organizations Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said this subsidy will also to be extended to the boats with kerosene-driven engines.

According to the proposal a litre of kerosene will be available at Rs.81 for the boats with kerosene-driven engines. A subsidy of Rs. 12 per litre of diesel will be granted for one-day and multi–day fishing boats while fishermen will also be given a subsidy of Rs. 25 per litre of kerosene.

According to this decision taken by the government, fishing trawlers with diesel-driven engines will receive a relief of 40 percent and fishing boats with kerosene-driven engines will receive relief of 80 percent.

There are 3,786 multi-day fishing boats and around 26,000 one day fishing trawlers.

About 21,551 one day fishing vessels among them are trawlers with kerosene driven engines.

“The government has to spend around Rs. 260 million per month for the fuel subsidy which had been granted for the fishermen and they have to spend over Rs. 30,000 million annually for this subsidy.

All fishing trawlers which have been registered with the district fisheries organizations will receive this subsidy,” the minister said. Each fisheries harbour, anchor lodge and fish landing centre have a district fisheries organization and all these subsidies are to be provided through these organizations.

According to the reports and details given by the fisheries organizations about the multi-day and one day fishing trawlers the above relief will be granted, he added.

The minister urged the officers entrusted with this duty to do their duty without any favour, because the fisherfolk will receive this relief according to the information provided by the fishery organizations.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame, Ministry Secretary Dr. Damitha de Soysa and representatives from all the district fishery organizations participated in the discussions and they have paid their gratitude on this decision.