The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Fishermen prefer direct grants to loans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Fishermen prefer direct grants to loans

By A.V. Ragunathan

CUDDALORE, FEB. 15. Fishermen in Cuddalore district still feel that they are "stranded on the seashore for want of vessels and are facing an uncertain future."

Officials are trying to encourage them to go back to the sea, but have met with limited success. The Collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, has been trying to restore normal fishing activity at Thazhanguda, Samiarpetti, Chinnur, Pudupettai, Killai, Vadakku Mudasalodia, Madavapallam, Sothikuppam, M.G.R.Thittu and Rasapettai. Mr. Bedi went out to sea several times to enthuse the fishermen. However, only a handful seemed to have taken heart.

The fishermen allege that the officials are trying to restore normality without ensuring complete rehabilitation. They are unsure about the financial package. Until a transparent policy is revealed, they say, they will stay on shore. They also say that the boats donated by religious and service organisations are small craft and available only to a few fishermen.

Shortage of spares

Even the efforts of companies to provide new engines and repair damaged engines have run into rough weather, because spares are in short supply.

The fishermen are averse to calling for quotations to procure materials to repair the boats. Some say the Government would choose the lowest quotations and this would reflect on the quality of the components. They want the Government to give direct financial assistance to them, so that they can hire mechanics and buy spares themselves.

They have refused the loan package offered by bankers, and instead have sought a direct grant of Rs. 1 lakh for repairing boats with outboard engines, Rs. 1.25 lakhs-Rs. 2 lakhs for boats with inboard engines and Rs. 4 lakhs for trawlers.

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