TEAM HERALD
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PORVORIM: The fishermen marketing co-operative societies in the State have stopped purchasing diesel in bulk from oil companies since Friday, to protest against a hike in diesel prices and have threatened to close their markets in Goa if the issue is not solved immediately.
Stating this to Herald, Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-operative Societies Chairman Menino Afonso said all seven fisherman marketing cooperative societies in Goa said they used to get their diesel supply in bulk from the oil companies at the rate offered to petrol pump dealers in the State.
“Now, we have received a circular from the oil companies stating that as per directives of the Central Government, the price of diesel has been hiked by Rs 11 per litre on bulk purchase for industrial units. The fishermen cooperative societies come under the under the category of agriculture and not industries. Hence, the hike in the price of Rs 11 per litre is not applicable to us,” said Afonso.
“Though fishermen marketing cooperative societies purchase diesel in bulk from oil companies, they supply the diesel to trawlers at the same price and not at a higher price. The objective of buying diesel in bulk is not to make profits, but to provide facilities to trawlers operating at the jetties,” he added.
Afonso said the aggrieved fishermen marketing co-operative societies have decided to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in this connection and will also write to Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar requesting him them to solve their problem.
“Petrol pumps within the premises of the fishermen cooperative societies have already dried up and trawlers are on the verge of stopping their fishing activities. The societies will be forced to close their entire markets in Goa if the problem is not solved immediately,” warned Afonso.
