Jayant Patil, Subhash Desai meet distressed fishermen

Mumbai: Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders on Tuesday promised that the state government would provide relief to the fishermen who incurred losses due to the absence of fishing activities during cyclones this year. After being made to wait for two months, a delegation was finally able to meet Cabinet ministers Subhash Desai and Jayant Patil and demand financial support and loan waivers for fishermen.

The delegation told the ministers that fishing activities since August were either curbed or suspended most of the times due to consecutive cyclones.

“An estimated loss for the four months can be pegged at `3,500 crore as half of the days we were not able to even venture into the sea. Moreover, at several occasions, our trips yielded no catch. Just like the chief minister declared relief for farmers, we hope that the new government will look into our plight,” said Kiran Koli, secretary, Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (MMKS).

The MMKS demanded that fishermen should get immediate compensation and the loans taken by fishermen should be waived.

“The cost of every trip and  diesel used during these trips should be considered by the government. We have also demanded that value added tax on diesel and oil be refunded immediately,” added Mr Koli.

Mr Desai said that a meeting would soon be held with the chief minister. “We will be immediately hold a meeting with concerned officials. I promise that we will give relief to the fishermen just like we did with the farmers,” said  Mr Patil.