Rich haul for fishermen

However unorganised sector workers claim that they were not given importance in the budget. 

A new fishing harbour at Mookaiyur in Ramanathapuram district at the cost of Rs.113 crores, increase of allotted diesel to fishermen from 15,000 litres to 18,000 litres per year, expansion of Thoothukudi fishing harbour, a new fishing habour at Colachel, increase of compensation amount to womenfolk of fishing community during lean periods from Rs.2,800 to Rs.4,500 were some of the schemes announced for the benefit of fishing community. 

The budget also envisages development of coastal tourism at Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari as part of Rs.100 cr package would also benefit the fishermen in large numbers. Sagayam, a fishermen leader at Rameswaram, claimed that he welcomed the decision to increase the amount for women to Rs.4,500 during the lean season and is also happy with the increase in the subsidised diesel quota for the fishermen. 

Despite these announcements, no new schemes were announced in the budget. Even the fishing harbour at Mookaiyur is an old announcement, he said.