Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 25: The kerosene meant for country boat fishing activity in coastal Karnataka that has been a traditional occupation here, is not reaching the intended beneficiaries in time. The Fishermen's Union here had approached union minister of state for agriculture and farmer welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, seeking her help to bring this problem to the notice of the union government and to make sure that the kerosene allotted for the region is released and the interests of the fishermen is protected.

The state has over 10,100 country boats on which over 60,000 fishermen rely for their living. Country boat fishing is entirely dependent on the release of kerosene by the central government.

The difficulties faced by the fishermen of Karnataka coast was brought to the notice of the union minister for petroleum by union minister and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, Shobha Karandlaje, and an appeal was made to the minister to ensure that additional kerosene is released to Karnataka at the earliest in order to protect the interests of the fishermen. In response to her request, the union petroleum minister, on Monday January 24, passed an order, releasing additional 35.4 lac litres of kerosene to Karnataka being its share for the year 2021-22.

The central government had already released 70.8 lac litres of kerosene to Karnataka. Additional kerosene was demanded by the fishermen. This demand of the traditional country boat fishermen has now been met. Karandlaje stated that this additional kerosene will be distributed by the distribution system for the purpose of fishing. She has also thanked the government for meeting the demand of the fisherman quickly.