The Goa government today assured subsidies on the dieselpurchased by the fishing trawlers in the open market, giving them relief fromthe recent diesel price hike imposed by the central government.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the state legislativeassembly that the trawler owners can purchase the diesel from the open marketand they will be entitled for the government subsidy.
Central government’s action of Rs 11 per litre hike in bulkpurchase of diesel has affected the fishing trade in the state. The trawlerowners have anchored their vessels since Saturday protesting against the hike.
BJP legislator Benjamin D’Silva raised the issue of dieselprice hike on the floor of the House this afternoon.
Parrikar said that the current agitation by the trawlerowners is a pan-india agitation. “We will try to ensure that the Goan fishermenare at comfort. They will not have to suffer due to the hike imposed by theCentral government,” he added.
Goa has 1,200 trawlers operating from five different jettiesacross the state. After mining and tourism, fishing is the largest economicactivity of the state.
