The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Thanjavur News : Tsunami-hit fishermen yet to apply for loans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur

Tsunami-hit fishermen yet to apply for loans

By G.Srinivasan

THANJAVUR, FEB.10 . Fishermen of Thanjavur district are yet to benefit from Rajiv Gandhi rehabilitation package for tsunami-affected areas.

Bank officials in the affected areas admitted that fishermen had enquired about the scheme but did not give any application so far. "We have publicised the scheme," they said. Branches in the affected areas received circulars from their regional offices at Thanajvur to disburse loans.

In Thanjavur district, 21 villages — 11 in Pattukottai taluk and 10 in Peravurani taluk — have been identified as tsunami-affected villages. The number of affected fishermen is 4950 as per official figures. A total of 394 catamarans, 339 vallams (small boats), 149 fibreglass boats, 124 mechanised boats and 34 outboard motors were damaged.

Under the package, tsunami-hit fishermen can apply for loans to the nearest branch. After identifying the beneficiaries using identity cards issued by the Fisheries Department, relief cheque or letter issued by authorities or through customers, banks can sanction loans to purchase boats with motors and nets, mechanised boats and repair boats.

Loans with subsidy component can be availed. For purchase of boats with motors and net, fishermen can get loans up to Rs.1.50 lakhs with 35 per cent subsidy. For repair of boats, loans can be obtained with a subsidy of 60 per cent with a ceiling of Rs. three lakhs. For mechanised boats, loans up to Rs. 20 lakhs with 35 per cent subsidy with a ceiling of Rs. five lakhs can be obtained.

A. Tajudeen, district president, Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, said that all affected fishermen were in need of loans. They had to repair engines, boats or purchase new ones.

"I have written to the Collector, M.Veera Shanmugha Moni, to instruct banks to disburse loans. I have asked him to make arrangements for sending their applications through associations like us as many fishermen may not know how to apply and how to approach banks," Mr. Tajudeen said.

He said that loans should be disbursed within 48 hours of receiving the applications. The scheme provides for disbursal of loans of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000 to affected fishermen without any collateral security, he added.

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