Empowering fishermen: CM Siddu's budget prioritizes their growth and development

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who presented the state budget for the year 2023-24 announced many benefits for the fishermen of the state.

The benefits are as follows:

* For the economic self-reliance of fisherwomen and to assist them in the expansion of business, interest-free loans provided by banks will be increased from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh.

* Subsidized diesel provided to fishermen’s boats will be increased from 1.5 lakh kilolitres to 2 lakh kilolitres. This will amount to financial assistance of Rs.250 crore in 2023-24.

* A subsidy of Rs. 50,000 per fishing boat will be provided to replace kerosene engines with petrol /diesel engines. Rs. 20 crore will be earmarked this year to convert 4000 kerosene engines.

* Through efficient utilization of water resources of the State and increasing production of fish seedlings, abundant opportunities in inland fisheries will be harnessed. Also, inland fisheries will be encouraged by promoting the production of Katla and Rohu fish seedlings which are in high demand.

* We will promote the production of prawns and take measures for its value addition and marketing.

* Doubling of cold storages available to fishermen will be implemented under public private partnership model.