4 hrs ago
Fishermen Allege Diversion of Diesel Subsidy Funds
A fishermen’s association says money meant to help fishermen buy diesel may not have reached them properly.
Its president, Vasupalli Janakiram, said some subsidy cards had not worked for months.
He alleged that some fishermen gave up their cards after receiving small payments.
He said the cards were later used at some shops in Kakinada.
The association wants an independent investigation to check whether the records match real boat movements.
It also wants the government to examine how money from another fishermen’s scheme was used.
These are allegations, and the article does not say that an investigation has confirmed them.
The association asked state leaders to investigate and take corrective action.
The East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India alleged misappropriation involving fishermen’s welfare schemes, especially the diesel subsidy programme.
Association president Vasupalli Janakiram said subsidy cards had been inactive for months but were allegedly used at selected retail outlets in Kakinada.
Janakiram alleged some fishermen were persuaded to surrender inactive cards for nominal payments.
The association called for an independent investigation, an audit of card use, and release of two years of swipe-transaction records.
It also raised concerns about the non-functioning HPCL Consumer Bank at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour and requested an inquiry into Fishermen’s Assurance Scheme funds.
- Who
- The East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India, represented by president Vasupalli Janakiram.
- What
- The association alleged diversion of diesel subsidies and sought investigations into subsidy-card use and Fishermen’s Assurance Scheme funds.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam; the alleged card use was at selected retail outlets in Kakinada.
- When
- The allegations were made at a press conference on Wednesday; the article does not give a date.
- Why
- The association said inactive subsidy cards were allegedly used in transactions and called for checks to determine whether funds reached fishermen.
Association’s allegations
Government or scheme response
Use of diesel subsidy cards
Association’s allegations
The association alleged that cards reported as inactive were later used at selected outlets in Kakinada, potentially diverting subsidies from fishermen.
Government or scheme response
The article provides no response from the government, retailers, or other parties to the allegations.
Distribution and oversight of subsidies
Association’s allegations
The association questioned why subsidies were distributed through private retail outlets and called for transaction records to be checked against GPS and vessel-movement data.
Government or scheme response
The article does not report an alternative explanation or official position on the distribution system.
Key facts
- Association
- East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India
- Association president
- Vasupalli Janakiram
- Subsidy at issue
- Diesel subsidy for fishermen
- Alleged transaction location
- Selected retail outlets in Kakinada
- Records requested
- Swipe-transaction records for the past two years
- Other scheme raised
- Fishermen’s Assurance Scheme
- Officials appealed to
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu
Quotes
Vasupalli Janakiram
President of the East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India
“The government must release swipe-transaction records for the past two years and verify them against GPS and vessel-movement data.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Then, how can there be records of transactions made against these cards”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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