KOZHIKODE: As part of the Kerosene bunk project of the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed), a new bunk was opened by Fisheries and Ports Minister K Babu at Puthiyapa, near Kozhikode on Monday.
The kerosene bunk, which will distribute fuel at the subsidy rate, aims at resolving the fuel problems faced by fishing boats in the coastal regions of the District.
The project was designed to allot 12 bunks in the nine coastal districts of the State of which one was allotted to Puthiyapa.
“After all of the bunks function, it will enable easy distribution of fuel to fishermen at a reasonable rate and assessable way,” said the Minister.
It was a step towards protecting the rights of the fishermen community whose population is large in the region and also to ensure their well being, he added.
As part of the project, fishermen would be allotted around 5000 kiloliters of kerosene every month from the bunk and this will be a milestone for the fishing community of the State.
In the Malabar region, bunks have been allotted to Ponnani and Unnyan in Malappuram, Mappila Bay in Kannur and Kasaba in Kasargod.
As per the boat’s engine capacity, fishermen with permits will be allowed to purchase kerosene at a subsidized rate of Rs 25 per litre upto 190 litres. If boats have more engine capacity, they will be provided with kerosene only upto 190 litres every month.
