Chennai oil spill: Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 families of affected fishermen

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

The relief was being given to the fishermen in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts in view of delay in getting suitable compensation from insurance companies, an official release said on Friday.

The government also said two fish markets will be set up in Ernavoor and Nochikuppam localities at a cost of Rs 75 lakh. The oil spill in the Bay of Bengal occurred after the two cargo ships collided near the Ennore Port on the wee hours of January 28.

Nearly 5,700 people representing various agencies took part in the clean up operation for 25 days, the release said.  “As there has been a delay in getting the compensation from insurance companies, Chief Minister K Palanisamy 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”, it 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” the release said. 

Fisheries Minister Dindigul C Sreenivasan, School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare K A Sengottaiayan and senior government officials participated in the meeting, the release added.