Oil Spill: 30,000 fishermen families to get Rs 15 crore as relief

Tamil Nadu government has announced a grant of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 families of fishermen in the coastal areas in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts whose livelihood was affected due to the recent oil spill following collision of two cargo ships near Ennore Port.

In a statement, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said soon after the incident on January 28, a total number of 5,700 persons including officials from the state government and volunteers, jumped into action on a war-footing and cleaned up the sea for more than 25 days.

"Due to the oil spill, the livelihood of fishermen in Thiruvallur, Chennai and Kanchipuram districts were affected as they were unable to go to the sea and people were not ready to buy the fish," he said.

"As there has been a delay in getting the compensation from insurance companies, Chief Minister K Palaniswami who conducted a review meeting yesterday, announced an interim relief of Rs 5,000 to be given to each of the 30,000 fishermen families living in the affected areas", the statement said.

"The total cost of Rs 15 crore will be borne by the government and two fish markets will be set up in Ernavoor and Nochikuppam localities at a cost of Rs 75 lakh by the government for their benefit".

Listing out various steps taken by the government to minimize the woes of the fishing community, he said he also chaired a meeting in this regard at the secretariat and decided to allocate Rs 15 crore as interim relief.