PANAJI
The much-publicised scheme to boost crab cultivation in the State has failed to attract any takers.
Minister for Fisheries, Vinoda Paliencar informed that Fisheries Department has not received any application under the scheme Financial Assistance for Crab Culture. Paliencar provided this information while responding to a question during the just concluded Budget Session of the Assembly.
Around two years ago, in June 2016, with much hype the State government had notified the scheme called ‘Financial Assistance for setting up of Crab Farming unit in Goa’. Given that there is a culture of sea-food in Goa, the government thought of giving subsidies to fishermen on setting up of crab culture unit and also on purchase of seed and feed.
However, two years down the line, Fisheries Department is yet to receive even one application seeking assistance under the said scheme.
Under this scheme, the State government provides financial assistance of 25% of the actual cost of setting up a crab culture unit subject to a maximum of Rs 1,50,000 per hectare. Fishermen can avail of the benefit upto 2 hectares.
Moreover, the government also provides financial assistance of 50% of the actual cost of purchase of seed and feed subject to a maximum of Rs 75,000 per hectare. It’s surprising that despite subsidies no one has approached the government to get benefit under the scheme.
While there is no response from people to crab culture scheme, the response to scheme for mussel and oyster farming is also dismal.
Paliencar also informed that the Fisheries Dept has received only two applications seeking benefit under the scheme ‘Financial Assistance for Mussel and Oyster Farming in Goa’. Of these, an order of Rs 34,773 is issued to one applicant for two mussel culture units at Bhatim and one application is under scrutiny.
