Goemkarponn Desk
BENAULIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Capt Venzy Viegas has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for renewal of fees towards fish drying platform at Fisheries complex at Colva.
“I had brought to your notice that as per the Revised scheme-“Lease of platform for drying fish at fisheries complex, Colva.”, the fishermen that have been allotted the fish drying platforms have been advised to pay Rs. 3000/- per platform per year,” said VIEGAS
He further said that the fishermen involved in drying fish are bonafide traditional fishermen, wherein they are either involved in capture fishery and/or procure fish from other fishermen, so as to dry fish on the platforms.
“Now, it is to inform that these fishermen have limited monetary capital. In addition, the availability of raw material for drying is becoming scarce and expensive as fresh fish has a better sale value in the markets and trash fish/waste fish is transported to fish meal plants wherein it fetches a better price. As such, these fishermen have to procure fish at higher rates, if required,” he said
Venzy said that considering all the above, these fishermen are unable to pay an amount of Rs. 3000/- per platform per year.
“Further, the Minister of Fisheries had assured on the floor, that the rates will be decreased to Rs. 1000/- per platform per year.Hence, keeping in mind the interest of the fishermen, I put forward an appeal to consider reducing the platform fee to Rs. 1000/- per year,” ge added
