Matsyakara Bharosa Delay Triggers Fisherfolk Protest
The fishermen pointed out that although CM N. Chandrababu Naidu recently launched the fund release process in Nellore district, the majority of beneficiaries across the state are yet to receive the money
Visakhapatnam: Fisherfolk in Visakhapatnam staged a strong protest on Thursday at the Joint Director of Fisheries office in the city’s fishing harbour, demanding the immediate release of funds under the Matsyakara Bharosa scheme.
The demonstration, led by Vasupalli Janakiram and supported by drivers and Vanka Gurumurthy, president of the Kalasheela Sangham, drew hundreds of participants who accused the Andhra Pradesh government of failing to credit funds to eligible beneficiaries.
The fishermen pointed out that although Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently launched the fund release process in Nellore district, the majority of beneficiaries across the state are yet to receive the money.
Janakiram said nearly 750 fishermen in Visakhapatnam district had missed out on the scheme last year, leaving around Rs 1.50 crore unpaid. He criticised the government’s decision to identify beneficiaries solely on the basis of diesel subsidy cards, arguing that the assistance should go directly to fishermen rather than boat owners.
As tempers flared during the protest, Joint Director of Fisheries P. Lakshman Rao assured the demonstrators that the delay was caused by technical glitches and promised that the funds would be credited within five days.
Police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating and urged the fishermen to wait until Monday. Janakiram warned that if the funds were not deposited by then, a large-scale agitation would be launched, beginning with a meeting with the District Collector.
He also appealed to leaders of political parties, including Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Indian National Congress and CPI state secretary Ramakrishna, to treat the issue as a social responsibility and press the government to act.
The fishermen said their families were facing severe financial hardship, with many unable to pay school fees or meet daily expenses. They demanded immediate government intervention to ensure justice.
Accusing officials of citing financial constraints as an excuse, the protesters said the delay reflected poor governance and lack of planning.