Central excise on diesel for fishing boats needs full exemption

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 07, 2017: The National Fish Workers’ Forum has demanded that the Centre exempt  Central excise on the diesel provided to fishing vessels across the country.

In view of the export potential of marine products as well as their domestic use, the government should encourage marine fishing, said the forum’s vice-president Vasudeva Boloor. At present, the State government has completely waived Sales Tax and the Centre has partially waived Central excise, he said.

At the same time, the Centre should directly supply kerosene at subsidised rates to traditional fishing boats that are fitted with outboard engines. The present system of providing kerosene out of State’s public distribution quota and direct benefit transfer of subsidy to the accounts of fishermen is highly inconvenient, VP Boloor said.