Compensation for fishermen during ban period hiked by Rs 200

Chennai, Feb 25 (PTI): Months ahead of the assembly pollsin Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK today hiked compensation forfishermen during the April-May fishing ban period by Rs 200,increasing it to Rs 1000.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi made the announcement today, astate governement release said adding the move would benefitabout 1.6 lakh fishing families.

The dole has been increased from Rs 800 to Rs 1000, itsaid, adding the latest hike was announced following a pleafrom the fishermen.

Mechanised fishing is banned for 45 days in April-May onaccount of the fish breeding season. While the government gavecompensation of Rs 500 in 2008, it was hiked to Rs 800 lastyear.

Meanwhile, the state government today adopted a policydecision to establish a fishing harbour which will be on BOOT(Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) mode, an official pressrelease said.