NIO to study fisheries sector to help Goa evolve new policy: CM

Panaji, Mar 22 (UNI) The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been asked to conduct a study on the fisheries sector to help Goa government formulate a new policy for it.

Announcing this in his 2006-07 budget proposals in the State Legislative Assembly today, Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said the proposed policy would cover promotion of salty water aquaculture in low lying areas also.

Referring to a slew of incentives including reimbursement of VAT on high speed diesel oil for a total quota of 16,000 kilo litres to boat owners, he said the same would continue for the new fiscal even as the rebate on the oil would be extended to 750 beneficiaries who got it last fiscal.

He said the State had sought allocation of special quota of kerosene from the Centre to help traditional fisherman avoid buying it at high rates from the market.

Apart from continuing with the existing subsidy on the insulated boxes used for storing fish by small fishermen, the government proposed to offer subsidy for purchase of cycles and auto rickshaws fitted with the boxes as also on mini-trucks with 3 to 7 tonne capacity used for transportation of the fishes.

Setting up of fish meal plant and ornamental fisheries, kiosks at different places for selling fresh, processed and allied fish products and upgradation of fish landing centres were other initiatives, proposed by Mr Rane.

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