The Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) has paid Rs.11.06 crore to fishermen in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, the sum being the first instalment of compensation for the loss of livelihood caused by its activities.
GSPC officials gave the cheque to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy during his visit to Tallarevu in Mummidivaram mandal on Sunday. The officials said they would keep their promise of paying compensation till the completion of the pipeline.
District Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad said the amount would be distributed to 16,515 fishermen in 71 villages in the basin. The Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department would look into the matter, she added.
During the tripartite agreement between Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh governments and fishermen community representatives, it was resolved that GSPC would have to pay Rs.11.06 crore every month till its pipeline was laid.
When contacted, a senior GSPC official said the exact time required for the completion of the pipeline could not be given. The GSPC had also deposited Rs. 9 crore with the district Collector as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
The corporation had increased its outlay for CSR from 0.4 per cent to 1 per cent as demanded by the local MP and MLAs.
Yanam MLA, Malladi Krishna Rao, who is now abroad and Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Satishare are unhappy over the compensation paid by GSPC. Mr. Satish said he would talk to people concerned after Mr. Krishna Rao’s return.
