In a meeting held with the representatives of a pressure group that works for the welfare of the fishing community, state Minister for Industries and Mining Subhash Desai , on June 17, assured that the fishers who have been hit by the cyclone Tauktae will be provided with financial aid and rehabilitation.

“The officials including Fisheries Commissioner Atul Patne have been ordered to provide protection to fishermen under crop insurance in the next fishing season. They are also serious about your problems. We will extend all possible help,” Desai told the representatives from Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (MMKS).

“Can’t fishers be protected under crop insurance schemes? Let us know if there are any problems, let’s fix the problem immediately and apply,” he asked the officials in the meeting.

MMKS general secretary Kiran Koli, who attended the meeting, told Gaon Connection that at least seven fishers have died or disappeared when the cyclone Tauktae made a landfall on May 17.

“A total of 156 fishing boats with nets and fishing equipment were destroyed and 1,027 boats were partially damaged,” he said.

“The state government has declared meager assistance to them. This assistance is insufficient and will not rehabilitate fishers. We want the government to put aside the obsolete laws in this regard and rehabilitate those who are displaced due to cyclone,” Koli added.

He also informed Gaon Connection that the state Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Vadettiwar had sent a proposal of Rs 10.40 billion to the Central government. The central government has provided only Rs 2.68 billion.

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In the meeting, Ramkrishna Tandel, MMKS working president told that the amount released for the fishers so far is not enough to rehabilitate them. “Only Rs 11.75 crore (101.75 million) has been given to fishermen. It will not rehabilitate them. The state government should provide financial assistance of Rs 3,00,000 for non-mechanical, Rs 500,000 for four cylinder boats, Rs 10,00,000 for six cylinder boats and Rs 10,00,000 for relatives of the dead and missing fishermen,” demanded Kelly.

Fishing communities in the coastal states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka suffered the worst brunt of the cyclonic storm in terms of loss of livelihoods.

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