Karnataka fishermen: Don’t want diesel subsidy, we will lose our ration cards!
Mangaluru: Even a subsidy can create problems! That’s the worry of fishermen in this coastal city who have been opposing the Direct Benefit Transfer of Subsidy for diesel. Their fear: The new system might lead to their exclusion from the below poverty line (BPL) list and deny them ration cards.
Under the Direct Benefit Transfer, the subsidy amount on purchase of diesel for fishing boats is directly credited to the account of the boat owner. Earlier diesel was being provided at subsidised rates at petrol bunks at the port.
“If the government starts crediting money directly to our account, fishermen will face various problems. In some cases the subsidy will be very high. If officials consider this amount while distributing ration cards, it may create problems for us. If the subsidy is high, there is a possibility of many families being excluded from the BPL list,” a fisherman explained.
“Once categorised as an APL family, we may lose subsidy in the future. If subsidy money is credited to our bank accounts, we may even be liable to pay Income Tax,” he said.
“The income from fishing varies. Though in some cases there are huge money transactions, there is not much profit. A major portion of the income has to be reserved for repair and maintenance and for depreciation of the boat value. The profit is very little in fishing. Many a time we spend a lot of money on fuel for fishing but the catch is very less. In such a situation if the subsidy amount is credited to the bank, we may face various problems,” Mohan Bengre told Deccan Chronicle.
“Above all this we fear that the money may not be credited properly. We fill diesel in huge quantities which costs lakhs of rupees. If the subsidy amount is delayed or not credited to our account, we will surely be in trouble,” he added.
He also recalled that earlier when the government had plans for direct subsidy transfer, it was Mr Siddaramaiah, then finance minister, who had made provisions to provide diesel at subsidised rates at petrol bunks.
