The maintenance of fishing jetties in Goa may be done annually during the off-season, however, this time, the Vasco Fishing Association has demanded that their jetty be not just repaired but also be extended to 100m. They have submitted a proposal to fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar to extend the jetty for the convenience of the 200 boats that operate from there. “The Vasco fishing jetty is in dire need of attention. We have 200 boats that dock at the 60m area,” the association members said.

Stating that the repairs at the Vasco jetty were delayed due to the pandemic, Halarnkar said, “Those will be soon taken up. There are only a few days left for the fishing ban comes into force, so necessary inspections and repair works can be taken up. However, extension of the jetty will invite CRZ and NGT violations.”

The boat operators also demanded that the state government provide relief on VAT on the diesel as well. “The government sanctioned VAT on diesel comes to about Rs 6. With diesel prices rising, the operation of fishing vessels is becoming difficult,” they said.

On this, the fisheries minister said, “As far as the VAT subsidy is concerned, I have assured them that there will be a discussion on the subject and accordingly we will take a decision.”

The Vasco Fishing Association submitted a proposal to the fisheries minister to extend the jetty for the convenience of the 200 boats that operate from there.