VASCO
Fisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar's hints at reviewing subsidies to fishermen have evoked sharp criticism from various fishing bodies in the port town of Vasco.
Simon Pereira, a member of Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association, said the fishing sector lacks basic infrastructure. "There is no provision of a cold storage, while the jetties are in dilapidated condition and fishermen do not have proper berthing facilities,"
he said.
"The minister should first address the problems faced by fishermen
before making such irresponsible statements. Fish is a perishable item and we do not have cold storage facilities. The fishing industry in the State lacks infrastructure," said Pereira.
He further said the fishing industry was the only industry in Goa with 95% Goan operators and further clarified that the fishermen do not govern fish prices. "The Margao market is controlled by others who get truckloads of fish from TN, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Sometimes, we Goans don't find even place there," added Pereira.
Responding to the minister's statements, Pereira added: "This subsidy is given to all fishermen from across the country and is just a reimbursement of VAT and taxes imposed by the Central government." "The minister has to first review what steps he has taken and then meet the fishermen to know their issues, before taking any decision."
"He is new and probably does not know the ground realities. I want to ask him why has he not convened a single state-level meeting of fishermen. There has been no interaction between the fisheries minister and fishermen till date," added Pereira.
Custodio D'Souza, president of Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Association, said the government should eliminate VAT on nets purchased by fishermen and fuel consumed by trawlers and canoes, if he expects them to lower fish prices.
"Three months ago, we had met him in the assembly with Goa Ramponkarancho Ekvott members and in the presence of Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar. He had directed then director of fisheries Sharmila Monteiro to release our subsidies. What has happened to our subsidies," asked D'Souza.
The Vasco Fishing Boat Owners Marketing Cooperative Society President Minguel Pereira said fuel rates are very high and business is possible only because of subsidies.
"The subsidy was offered to us by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the BJP government. He is part of the coalition government and has been a minister for only a few months. Without convening a single meeting with fishermen, he has made these statements."
"We get fresh fish and give it to agents at a rate decided on a day-to-day basis. If the government feels the prices are high, they can approach us directly and pick up all the fresh fish from us at a particular fixed rate and supply to people without having middlemen," said Minguel Pereira.
"I think our Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida should intervene and discuss the matter with the chief minister, else we may have to permanently anchor our trawlers in the absence of subsidy," he warned.
He further said the fishing industry was the only industry in Goa with 95% Goan operators and further clarified that the fishermen do not govern fish prices. "The Margao market is controlled by others who get truckloads of fish from TN, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Sometimes, we Goans don't find even place there," added Pereira.
Responding to the minister's statements, Pereira added: "This subsidy is given to all fishermen from across the country and is just a reimbursement of VAT and taxes imposed by the Central government." "The minister has to first review what steps he has taken and then meet the fishermen to know their issues, before taking any decision."
"He is new and probably does not know the ground realities. I want to ask him why has he not convened a single state-level meeting of fishermen. There has been no interaction between the fisheries minister and fishermen till date," added Pereira.
Custodio D'Souza, president of Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Association, said the government should eliminate VAT on nets purchased by fishermen and fuel consumed by trawlers and canoes, if he expects them to lower fish prices.
"Three months ago, we had met him in the assembly with Goa Ramponkarancho Ekvott members and in the presence of Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar. He had directed then director of fisheries Sharmila Monteiro to release our subsidies. What has happened to our subsidies," asked D'Souza.
The Vasco Fishing Boat Owners Marketing Cooperative Society President Minguel Pereira said fuel rates are very high and business is possible only because of subsidies.
"The subsidy was offered to us by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the BJP government. He is part of the coalition government and has been a minister for only a few months. Without convening a single meeting with fishermen, he has made these statements."
"We get fresh fish and give it to agents at a rate decided on a day-to-day basis. If the government feels the prices are high, they can approach us directly and pick up all the fresh fish from us at a particular fixed rate and supply to people without having middlemen," said Minguel Pereira.
"I think our Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida should intervene and discuss the matter with the chief minister, else we may have to permanently anchor our trawlers in the absence of subsidy," he warned.
