RAMESWARAM: Fishermen of Pamban here who had planned an indefinite strike to protest the State’s withdrawal of subsidy for diesel for mechanised boats, withdrew their agitation plan on Saturday after an accord was reached in talks with the deputy director of Fisheries, Rameswaram.
As part of the new regulations, all mechanised fishing boats were checked for compliance few months back, when inspections at Pamban showed that several mechanised trawlers had not complied. Hence, the State Fisheries department had stopped supply of diesel at subsidised rate, which made fishing unprofitable for many fisher folks.
However, following the talks today between Pamban fishermen’s representatives and the department, it was decided that subsidy on diesel would be immediately restored for wooden mechanised craft.
For all other types of mechanised boats including those built with steel, the subsidy would be restored in a month’s time it was decided at the meeting. In the wake of this agreement, Pamban fishermen have withdrawn their indefinite strike plan, said Mr. Arokyam, convener of the Pamban Fishermen’s Association.
