“Though these fishermen had submitted filled-in application forms along with supporting documents, officials attached to fisheries department are refusing to provide diesel subsidy. This has dealt a huge blow on the meagre earnings of the fishing community,” said K Bharathi, president, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association.

There are more than 5,500 mechanised boats and 35,000 fibre boats in Tamil Nadu. The State government is providing 18,000 litres of diesel per mechanised boat and 4,000 litres of diesel per fibre boat at a subsidised rate every year.

According to fishermen, subsidised diesel is sold Rs 15 lesser than the diesel sold in the open market. However, in the last one year, fishermen claim that the fisheries department had refused to grant diesel subsidy for fishermen.

“At a time when diesel prices are skyrocketing, fishermen had to shell out from their pockets. On average, fishermen who had not received diesel subsidy in the last one year would have lost Rs 60,000 from their earnings,” said Bharathi.

Demanding that the State government approve the subsidy at the earliest, D Ashok of Nochikuppam fishermen colony pointed out that he had applied for diesel subsidy on September 16 last year, and it had been 11 months since and has left a hole in his pocket.

“Fibre boat fishermen are struggling due to lockdown restrictions and low price for fish. If government sanctions the diesel subsidy immediately it could be of great relief to hundreds of fishermen,” said Ashok.

Independent marine researcher Jones from Thoothukudi said by refusing diesel subsidy, the Central and State governments are aiming to kill the traditional fishing industry. “Both governments are vigorously promoting cage culture and taking steps to prevent fishermen from using boats. The aim is to handover fishing in high seas to corporates,” said Jones.

Though DT Next tried to contact Fisheries Director GS Sameeran, he was not available for comments.