Amid a swirl of miseries, the recent kerosene price hike has put traditional fisherfolk in more trouble. Kerosene price was hiked by Rs 8 in one go and is reportedly the steepest hike in history. Fisherfolk are relying on kerosene mainly for the operation of boats attached with outboard engine and carriers of inboard engine boats. The unexpected hike in kerosene price has put fishers in dire straits.
Government mechanism not providing ample relief
Wednesday, the rate of one litre kerosene in Matsyafed’s Valanjavazhi pump was at Rs 106.99. Similarly, in public distribution depots, the price of one litre of kerosene increased from Rs 47 to Rs 55, that too in a single day.
Depending on black market
Due to limited availability of kerosene at subsidised rate, the fisherfolk are forced to rely on black market. It costs Rs 95 per litre. To get kerosene from Matsyafed, the money has to be settled immediately. The subsidy will be credited later into the account. Notably, the subsidy is due for three months. The maximum quantity of kerosene that can be sourced from both Matsyafed fuel pumps and depots of public distribution department is limited to 260 litres. However, even a five-person boat will require double the amount of kerosene. This in turn forces fishers to find alternative sources.
Poor catch and plummeting fish prices
The prolonged unfavourable weather conditions and high tides affected the working days of the fishingfolk. The price of fishes caught and made available for sale is low too. For instance, on Wednesday, goldstripe sardinella catch at Ambalappuzha was sold at Rs 10 to Rs 12. The kerosene price hike has left seagoing fishers in new swirl. More often, their plight is to return with catch that is be sold at rate that cannot even meet the fuel expense.
Protest on November 9
Matsya Thozhilali Federation, affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), is organizing a protest on November 9, raising the demand that kerosene price hike should be revoked. Informing about the protest, the federation president TJ Anjalose and General Secretary T Raghuvaran, urged the Centre to provide quota of subsided kerosene.