The Government will review all existing schemes in the fisheries sector, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told a delegation of fishermen from different States who met him here on Tuesday.

Singh said his Ministry would ensure that these schemes addressed the concerns and requirements of fishermen and directed the officials concerned to discuss issues that were brought to his notice.

Among other things, the fishermen sought revival of diesel subsidy and steps to bring relief to fishermen who were jailed by neighbouring countries.

Bans The fishermen also raised the issue of ban on fishing, with many of them saying they were not able to avail of the benefits of the schemes during the ban period.

Coastal representatives sought control over ‘destructive’ fishing methods and gear and called upon the Ministry to consider using solar technology for fishing boats, an Agriculture Ministry release said.

The fishermen representatives also presented a copy of the National Policy on Fishing and Fishermen Party to the Minister.

In India, there are about three crore fishermen in 13 coastal States and Union Territories, of which about two crore are solely dependent on fishing for their livelihood.

Some representative bodies, such as the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), have for long been demanding a separate Ministry for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare.

Loan problems In a pre-poll memorandum to all political parties, NFF had demanded that fisheries be considered part of the Agriculture Ministry, as fishermen do not get any facility or concessions like farmers, such as loans and grants through cooperative and nationalised banks.

“We are not allowed to get loans by pledging jewellery to repair fishing boats, nets or to buy fishing equipment,” the NFF had said.

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