Oil spill: Tamil Nadu CM announces relief for fishermen
He also said more that 5,700 people including Coast Guard personnel and volunteers struggled for 25 days to remove the oil spill from the shore
Chennai: Nearly a month after two ships collided at the Ennore Port resulting in devastating oil spill that spread till Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced financial relief of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 fishermen whose livelihood was affected due to the incident.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami sanctioned Rs 15 crore for providing financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 fishing families in Chennai and neighbouring areas. He also announced construction of two fish markets at Ernavoor near Ennore and at Nochikuppam in Chennai.
The assistance was given to fishermen since many of them could not venture into the sea due to the oil spill and the drastic reduction in their sale due to fear of consuming fish, the Chief Minister said in a statement.
Recalling that the state government had already announced that it would ensure that fishermen affected due to oil spill get insurance and other compensation according to the rules, Mr Palanisami said the process is taking time since several agencies are involved in the issue.
“The process of getting compensation from insurance companies take sometime worldwide,” the Chief Minister said, adding that expert committees of the state government have concluded that eating fish was as safe as ever and there was no need to panic.
He also said more that 5,700 people including Coast Guard personnel and volunteers struggled for 25 days to remove the oil spill from the shore. The entire coast from Ennore to Mamallapuram was affected due to oil spill.
