PORVORIM
The fishing ban in the State may have ended on July 31, but most trawlers are still docked at the Mandovi Jetty in Malim and unable to venture into the sea as they await the arrival of trawler workers from other states.
Speaking to The Goan, Mandovi Fisherman Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd Director Harshad M Dhond stated a majority of workers on trawlers are from states such as Odisha, Karnataka and Jharkhand.
“This year, workers from Jharkand and Odisha have not returned from their native places because their states received rains rather late this year and they are engaged in field work,” said Dhond.
“I have arranged special buses to bring my workers from Jharkand. Bus operators charge Rs 5,000 per person plus Rs 1,000 per person for their breakfast, lunch and dinner charges. It takes three days for the bus to reach Goa from Jharkhand. It is expected that all workers will return to Goa only by September 30 and thereafter, fishing activities will start in full swing,” said Dhond.
Dhond further mentioned that the fishing industry is presently reeling under tremendous financial problems.
“The State government has withdrawn ‘The Goa Value Added Tax’ based subsidy on HSD oil consumed by fishing vessels vide notification dated May 23 with retrospective effect from November 30, 2022. This subsidy was being offered to us when late Manohar Parrikar was the chief minister.”
“The industry is fighting for basic survival on all fronts and hence, the government should lend us a helping hand in the current situation.”
Dhond also voiced concern over the poor infrastructure at Malim Jetty.
“Renovation of the existing jetty at Malim is going on for the last 10 years. Only 35% of work has so far been completed and seven contractors have left the work midway. Due to poor infrastructure, trawler owners find it difficult to anchor their trawlers,” said Dhond.
