Paradip: Allocation of Rs 1220.84 crore for development of five fishing harbours including in Paradip in the recent Union Budget was welcomed by people while the issue raised equal concerns among the fishermen, a report said.
The budgetary allocation would benefit 50,000 people associated with the fishing industry in the port town. However, fishermen have expressed fear over ‘lack’ of infrastructure, the report said.
The deplorable condition of the fishing harbour has pushed it to the brink of closure. Reports said the budgetary allocation has been made for development of fishing harbours of Kochi in Kerala, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Paradip in Odisha and Petuaghat in West Bengal.
The budget mentions that 142 lakh tonne of fish has been produced in the country from the sea in 2019-20 fiscal. The development plan for the five fishing harbour includes modern arrangement for fish sale, construction of berths, cold storage dredging of the river mouths and others.
Sumant Kumar Biswal, president of Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association (OMFPA) alleged that there are no special policies for the development of fishermen. He said there are over 650 fishing trawlers and 200 boats in the Paradip fishing harbour.
However, only 30 per cent of the trawlers and fishing boats go for fishing while the rest are lying idle due to a sharp drop in fish catch.
The fish caught in Paradip is exported to foreign countries through Visakhapatnam port. This apart, restrictions on fishing in sea remains valid for seven months which has made it difficult for the fishermen.
Over 30 lakh families of fishermen depend on fishing. He alleged that their state and national associations have been demanding a reduction in excise duty on fuel for the last 10 years, but nothing was done.
PNN