M. Manikandan, Minister for Information Technology, handed over a cheque for ₹ 5 lakh, the relief announced by the government to the family of fisherman K. Britjo (21), who was shot dead by the Sri Lankan navy when he was fishing on the high seas in the Palk Straits on the night of March 6.
He visited the house of the deceased at Thangachimadam near here on Saturday and handed over the cheque to his parents. He also handed over a cheque for ₹ 1 lakh to Sarone, who suffered injury on his hand while trying to escape when the Lankan Navy fired at them. Collector S. Natarajan, Paramakudi MLA S. Muthiah, Assistant Director of Fisheries Isac Jayaraj accompanied him.
He told reporters later that the government had announced in the budget proposals for 2017-18 an assistance of ₹ five lakh each to owners of 18 fishing trawlers, impounded by Lankan authorities two years ago and could not be salvaged after they suffered extensive damage.
He said the government had announced an increase in relief available under national savings cum relief scheme for marine fishermen and Tamil Nadu savings cum and relief scheme for fisherwomen from ₹ 2,700 to ₹ 4,500 by increasing state contribution.
The government increased sales tax exemption for diesel from 15,000 litres to 18,000 litres per mechanised boat per year, from 3,600 litres to 4,000 litres per motorised country craft boat per year, and to 400 litres of kerosene for country boats, he said.
Referring to the construction of fishing harbour at Mookaiyur at the cost of ₹ 113.90 crore, the Minister said the government was committed to developing fishing infrastructure.
