The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Fish workers' dues to be written off

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Saturday, May 15, 2010
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Fish workers' dues to be written off

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Fisheries Deputy Director K.I. Raveendran has said that steps are being taken to write off Rs. 15.22 crore outstanding against 66,691 members in 51 fish workers' cooperative societies in the district.

Addressing a press conference to announce the achievements of the fisheries department to mark the fourth anniversary of the State government, Mr. Raveendran said that 15,000 applications of fish workers and widows of fish workers were already before the Fishermen Debt Relief Commission.

In the last four years, the department had given free ration to 34,871 persons. Rice was given at a price of Rs. 2 per kg to 8,000 families during the last financial year. Fish markets at Aluva, Polakkandam, Chambakkara, Palluruthy, Njarakkal, and Varappuzha were renovated at a cost of Rs. 90 lakh during the same period. Works of the fish markets at Kalady and Paravur for which Rs. 25 lakh was allotted were fast progressing, Mr. Raveendran said.

Diesel subsidy to the tune of Rs. 27.28 lakh was given to fishing boats.

The number of beneficiaries of this scheme stood at 276 – 110 in 2006, 107 in 2007, 26 in 2008, and 33 in 2009. A maximum of Rs. 1,500 was being given as subsidy in a month.

Benefits under the fish workers' relief scheme was distributed to 54,254 in the marine sector and 9,023 in the inland sector during the last four years.

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