The traditional ST fishermen addressing reporters on their demand for release of subsidy.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
The traditional fishermen from Tiswadi, belonging to the ST community, have demanded that their subsidy be released at the earliest.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Friday, a fisherman, Sanjay Pereira, said the subsidy of 40 fishermen belonging to the ST community was not disbursed for the year 2023.
“So, under the banner of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union, we have made a petition to the Director of the Fisheries Department to ensure that the subsidies to the 40 ST fishermen are released,” Pereira stated.
“For the past two months, we have been inquiring with the Fisheries Department over the delay in the release of the subsidy, and one of the staff told us that the file has been kept pending by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” Pereira pointed out.
“Therefore, we have also urged the Chief Minister to clear the file, as many of us are finding it difficult to eke out a living due to the low catch and also due to illegal LED fishing,” Pereira stated.
Pereira said while the State government had spent a large amount on the recent Aqua Festival, it should also disburse the rightful subsidy of the traditional fishermen.
