PANJIM: Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar putting his foot down has asked fish traders operating from various government jetties in the State to register themselves with the department in order to be granted permission to utilise the facilities.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the representatives of boat owners on Tuesday, Halarnkar said that the government was losing revenue since most of the fish traders were not registered, despite enactment of legislation in 2020 making registration mandatory. He said that only 10 traders have registered and were paying annual fee of Rs two lakh to the department.
Halarnkar said that the fisheries department had sealed the fishing jetties of Malim, Cutbona and Vasco last week due to failure fish traders to register with the government. He pointed out that though the government spends huge money on repairs of these jetties and providing subsidised fuel to trawlers, there is no revenue coming from the fish trade to the government.
The Minister said that the trawler owners and traders have agreed to work out the modalities within next two to three days and to register with the department. He also hinted that the government will soon levy cess on fish imported from other States.
