Chennai: The state government on Saturday kickstarted the distribution of Rs 131 crore oil spill compensation package to fishermen of Tiruvallur, Chennai and Kancheepuram districts adversely affected by last year when two ships collided in the Chennai coast resulting in oil spill.
In a press release, the government said a total sum of Rs 141 crore has been collected from shipping companies involved in the incident after various rounds of legal talks as per the directions of the Madras high court. While Rs 131 crore would be disbursed to the affected fishermen of three districts, Rs 10 crore will be spent on for rehabilitation of the Chennai coast. Chief Minister Palaniswami on Friday gave away compensation amounts to 21 fishermen from three districts and the distribution will continue for the next few days, the release said.
The state has identified as many as 1,11,448 affected fishermen and they will be eligible to receive the welfare. The fishermen and the stakeholders depending on marine life will be supported under seven categories, the release said.
For instance, owners of mechanised boats will receive Rs 35,000 while the amount will be Rs 20,000 per mechanised country craft and Rs 15,000 for catamarans. Those involved in selling fish, involved in cleaning and processing fish will receive Rs 10,000 each the release said. The state also said a preliminary compensation amount of Rs 15 crore has already been dispatched last year after holding talks with the shipping companies booked for the oil spill.
It may be noted that the Madras high court last week directed the Tamil Nadu government to disburse the amount within four weeks and the crude oil spill occurred on January 28, 2017, following a collision involving a cargo ship and another vessel arriving in to the Kamaraj Port at Ennore.
