Goa: Subsidy unveiled on purchase of accessories for fish vendors

PANAJI: Fish vendors registered with the directorate of fisheries in the state can now avail of a subsidy for the purchase of accessories required for fish vending so that fish can be delivered to consumers in hygienic conditions.

By way of this scheme, fish vendors can purchase accessories such as crates, weighing balance, insulated box, gloves, stool, platform to keep fish or umbrella, choppers and other equipment.
The beneficiary belonging to the general category is eligible for the grant of 50% subsidy limited to Rs 10,000 on a unit cost of Rs 20,000. The beneficiary belonging to SC/ST/woman category is eligible for the grant of 60% subsidy limited to Rs 12,000 on a unit cost of Rs 20,000.
“To make fish available to consumers at the right time and in the right place requires an effective marketing system. Fish vendors are the main link for delivering the highly perishable fish from fishermen and fish farmers to consumers. Fish vendors are the key stakeholders in the developmental activities, and enhancement of their socio-economic status is one of the core objectives of this scheme,” the notification of the scheme reads.
There are different types of fish vendors in Goa such as those that sell fish door-to-door by carrying a basket on head, with a bicycle or a motorcycle or a rickshaw or fish vans, as well as fish markets in villages and municipal areas. The beneficiary can avail the scheme once every three years.
According to the scheme, the beneficiary ought to produce bills from the registered dealers towards the purchase of accessories required for fish vending such as crates, weighing balance, insulated box, gloves, stool, platform to keep fish and umbrella, choppers and other equipment related to the fish vendor.