Country craft fishermen of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts have urged the Tamil Nady government and central government to waive customs duty (35.04%), goods and services tax (GST at 28%) and handling charge (1%) on import of outboard machines (OBM) used to propel the crafts. According to them,these taxes have escalated the price of the engine by Rs 57,915 from its base price of Rs 77,655.
President of Thoothukudi District Country Boat Fishermen Association S J Gayes said that nearly 20,000 boats from Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari go fishing every day for a distance of up to 50 nautical miles and that 90% of fishermen go fishing in country crafts and fibre boats, propelled by OBMs.These fishermen depend on daily fishing for a livelihood and cannot afford to buy imported engines. “
Country craft fishermen have urged the government to provide 40% subsidy from the base price of the engine so that fishermen would be able to get it at Rs 46,000.
