CM revises fishing ban compensation to Rs 4,000

PUDUCHERRY: The government will pay a compensation of Rs 4000 to the fishermen during the fishing ban period, said chief minister N Rangasamy on Monday.  He was speaking at a function organised in connection with “world fisheries day” here.The government at present provides Rs 2750 per family as compensation for the 45-day fishing ban period. The new amount would be disbursed in the coming season, he said. Ranagsamy said that the repair allowance for fibreglass boats would be raised to Rs 30,000 from the current Rs 20,000.The educational assistance for the fishermen’s children, Rs 4000 (X standard students) and Rs 6000 (XII students), would be raised to Rs 5000 and Rs 7000 respectively.The 45-day ban on fishing was imposed on mechanised boats by the government between April and May. “World fisheries day” is observed in Puducherry as “Fishermen’s day”. Fisheries minister N G Pannirselvam, welfare minister P Rajavelu, K Lashminarayanan, MLA, spoke at the function.Congress legislator Lakshminarayanan drew the chief minister’s attention to the delay in disbursing the relief amount to the fisherfolk, who would be without work during the 45-day ban  period. Representatives of fishermen associations  attended.