Lawmakers question delay in subsidies for fisheries sector
The House on Friday said that schemes meant to promote fishing and dairy farming have failed to reach the intended beneficiaries. The lawmakers cited deficiencies in a range of areas, from fuel and dairy subsidies to schemes for landless fisherfolk to build homes.
The harshest criticism against the functioning of the fisheries department and the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services came from within the BJP ranks.
Addressing Nilkanth Halarnkar, who holds the two portfolios, legislators called for proactive steps to aid fisherfolk and farmers in the state. The total subsidy allocation under all the schemes of the fisheries department was Rs 13.4 crore last year, and this year it has been cut to Rs 9.2 crore.
'Milk subsidy has not been given since Jan. On the one hand, you ask people to take up dairy farming and then you do not give subsidies,' said Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral.
He said, 'If the poor do not receive subsidies on time, how will they survive?'
Cabral said that the staff of the two departments refuse to assist farmers from his constituency. 'They are only working in your constituency of Tivim and they don't want to come South,' he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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'There are many schemes, but I don't know how effective they are. Only you know what is happening. The fisheries director is good, but for some reason, she does not help my people.'
Bicholim legislator Dr Chandrakant Shetye had a similar grievance about the disbursal of incentives. 'The support price and incentives to farmers and dairy farmers should be released on time every month or at least once in two months,' he said.
Halarnkar informed the House that he would discuss the delays in payments with the CM.
Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai said that the budgetary allocation for the fisheries department exposes govt's priorities.
'The total budget allocated to fisheries this year has been reduced from Rs 84 crore last year to Rs 72 crore,' Sardesai said. 'In 2023-24, the original allocation was Rs 100 crore, later revised to Rs 200 crore, and yet the actual expenditure was less than 25% — only Rs 46 crore.'
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo demanded that govt take advantage of its connect with the Centre to obtain funding. 'There is a need to use the double engine to buy fast patrol boats to crack down on illegal fishing, bull trawling, and LED fishing,' Lobo said.
He said, 'Send central govt a full list of what Goa's fisheries sector needs: jetties, refrigeration systems, and ice boxes.'
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