Gandhinagar/New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) In a significant move for the fishing community, the Central government announced on Saturday the reversal of a Rs 22.43 per litre increase in diesel prices for fishing vessels in Gujarat. This decision came after the state government raised concerns regarding the financial pressures on fishermen.

The price hike had been implemented by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) through an agreement with the Gujarat Fisheries Federation (GFCCA), responsible for providing subsidized diesel to the fishing sector.

Fishermen along the Gujarat coastline voiced their worries through various officials, including ministers and local representatives. They highlighted the detrimental effects of the proposed price increase.

In a communication to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, state Fisheries Minister Jitu Vaghani described the situation as a "serious concern," emphasizing the additional financial burden imposed on fishermen.

Minister Vaghani pointed out that the categorization of fishermen as part of the 'consumer segment' rather than aligning them with retail consumers or other essential sectors resulted in elevated operational costs.

He stated, "Fishermen play a crucial role in ensuring food security and providing livelihoods in coastal areas. The current classification is unfair and detrimental to their operations as fuel expenses are a significant portion of their costs."

The letter also expressed that the fisheries sector is particularly sensitive to rising input costs, warning that the increase could jeopardize the economic sustainability of fishing, impacting earnings, fish prices, export competitiveness, and overall growth.

Minister Vaghani referred to prior discussions with BPCL, highlighting that exceptions were made for other sectors, such as state road transport, to alleviate public hardship.

He requested that the fisheries sector be treated similarly, advocating for a 'special exception' and a reevaluation of the pricing structure to ensure fishermen are classified alongside retail and essential segments.

Responding to these appeals, the Central government directed BPCL to rescind the price increase.

This decision, as per the state government, guarantees that fishermen throughout Gujarat will continue to access diesel at the previously established concessional rates, thus relieving the coastal communities reliant on fishing for their livelihoods.

Following this development, Minister Vaghani expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for their supportive decision regarding the welfare of fishermen.

"The state government remains dedicated to the welfare of fishermen and will continue its efforts in this direction," the Minister affirmed.