Navi Mumbai: Fishermen in Maharashtra’s Uran Taluka Face Starvation as 25 Crore Diesel Refund Subsidies Remain Unpaid

Uran, 5th December 2023: Fishermen in Karanja, Mora, and rural areas of Uran taluka in Maharashtra are grappling with a severe financial crisis as diesel refund subsidies amounting to 25 crores from 2021 remain outstanding with the government. The delay in receiving these subsidies has left hundreds of fishermen’s families on the brink of starvation.

The Maharashtra state government provides subsidies to fishermen for the diesel used in fishing operations. Fishermen pay for the diesel and then submit the payments to the Taluka Offices of the Maharashtra Department Of Fisheries. These payments are further sent to the Maharashtra State Fisheries Department through district channels for approval at the ministerial level. Once approved, the funds are allocated to the fishermen.

However, diesel refund payments for many fishermen have been overdue since 2018, causing significant financial losses. Out of the total outstanding amount of 35 crores, only 10 crores have been sanctioned so far. The delay in receiving subsidies has forced many families into financial trouble, pushing some into indebtedness.

Thousands of fishing boats on the Maharashtra coast are affected, facing arrears of crores of rupees due to delayed diesel refund payments. While funds have been sanctioned to the government’s fisheries department, the distribution process is yet to commence. Raigad District Fisheries Officer, Sanjay Patil, has assured that the refund process for fishermen until 2021 has been completed, and the distribution of the sanctioned 10 crores will begin soon.