Fishermen take Rs 15 Cr subsidy; charge bomb for Pompret, Prawns

Pompret, Viswan and Prawns cost dearly to Goans in spite of having it in ample quantity in Goa.

The price difference between the wholesale rates and retail is almost Rs 100 per kilogram.

On the other hand, the fish eater Goan shells out over Rs 15 crore to pay seven different kinds of subsidies to Goan fishermen.

This is admitted by fisheries minister Avertano Furtado in his own reply provided to Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.

Goan trawler owners catch almost 18 different varieties of fish from Goan sea and the inland waters, besides other small fish.

Goan fishermen catch 278 tonnes of fish, of all the varieties, every day.

Over 42,000 tonnes of fish was exported last year through the Mormugao Port Trust, getting foreign exchange of almost Rs 368 crore, as per the figures of Economic Survey.

However, the fisheries minister is not aware how much fish is exported by road, through trucks.  He could not provide these details when Kamat raised the issue on 10 April.

But it appears locals benefit very little from fishing industry as the retail price is much higher than the wholesale price, as per the government records.

On the other hand, the fish-eater Goan is paying over Rs 15 crore, to more than two thousand fishermen beneficiaries, towards subsidies.

The departmental records indicate that 1059 fishermen benefited in the last financial year towards the subsidy of Rs 5.18 crore, released to purchase kerosene.  

Similarly, almost 682 fishermen benefited due to VAT-based subsidy of Rs 9.11 crore.

Almost 53 fishermen were given a subsidy of Rs 31 lakh to construct or purchase outboard motors.

Total 65 fishermen were paid a subsidy of Rs 28 lakh to construct wooden or FRP craft.

Also 88 fishermen were released a subsidy of Rs 10 lakh for life jackets and life buoys.

And 143 fishermen were paid Rs 4 lakh to supply insulated boxes.

While the government collects this amount from the exchequer, the fishermen sometimes charge a bomb to buy tasty and valuable fish in the retail market, compared to much lower price in the wholesale market.

Following is the difference between the wholesale and retail price of 18 different varieties of fish catch available in Goa.

WHOLESALE & RETAIL PRICES OF GOAN FISH (IN RS PER KG)

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