Nod for Blue Revolution Project for Palk Bay fishermen

“The project was started due to the lack of response from Palk Bay (Rameswaram) fishermen for the state government’s Rs 1,650 crore Tuna Long Liner scheme,” an official said. Mooted some years ago, Rameswaram fishermen found the cost of constructing Tuna long liners very high. 

While normal mechanised fishing boats cost up to Rs 50 lakh, Tuna long liners cost over Rs 60 lakh. But what discouraged fishermen was that the 50% back end subsidy (money given by the state government after first spent by the beneficiary) was restricted to Rs 30 lakh. 

Despite TN CMs Jayalalithaa and Edapadi K Palanisamy repeatedly demanding Rs 1,650 crore whenever they wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the arrest of Indian fishermen, there has been no reply from the Central government. 

Tamil Nadu Mechanized Fishing Vessels Association general secretary NJ Bose said, “We were unable to get funds for this costly enterprise. Also, timely release of the subsidy was one reason why others lacked interest.” 

The Fisheries department policy note for 2016-17 reveals that 580 fishermen had opted for the Tuna long liner scheme of whom 171 were issued work orders. Stage I subsidy amounting to Rs 2.98 crore was released to 30 beneficiaries. 

“But what was surprising was that most beneficiaries were either from Chennai or Kanniyakumari district. There were no takers from Rameswaram,” an official added. 

Under the Blue Revolution project, the Central government has agreed to share 50 per cent of the total boat cost which was increased to Rs 80 lakh. The remaining amount would be borne by the state government through institution borrowing and own funding from the borrowers, officials said.

They also said that discussions between the departments concerned of the Central and the state governments have almost been completed, adding, the scheme is expected to be announced soon.