Fishermen in Odisha to get subsidised diesel

Bhubaneswar: To provide subsidized diesel for fishing trawlers and boats operated by fishermen in the coastal region of the state, the Odisha government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

Fisheries department’s FISHFED signed the MoU with IOCL.

As per the provision of the MoU, the fishermen will get 50 paisa subsidy on a liter of diesel.

“The profit of Rs 1.50 per liter that the FISHFED will reap from the IOCL, 50 paise will be spent on the welfare of the fishermen. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed to spend the profit sum for the development of the fishermen,” said Agriculture and Fishing Minister Pradeep Maharathy.

IOCL will open depots in 13 fishing jetties in Chandrabhaga, Astaranga, Balugaon, Bahabalpur, Kharinasi, Chudamani, Palura, Bhushandapur, Sonepur, Nairi, Sorana, Panchubisa and Talachua.

The Minister said about 70,000 fishermen will be benefitted by the initiative.

“Fishermen who used to buy diesel from outside and illegal ways will now have an IOCL depot nearby for procuring diesel for their trawlers,” said Maharathy.

Department secretary B P Sethi said the state produces 5.21 lakh metric ton of fish annually.