Karwar: Congress leader and regional president of the party’s fishermen’s wing, Ganapati Mangre, has alleged misuse of the Fishermen’s Distress Relief Fund in Karnataka, claiming that funds meant for families of fishermen who die during fishing operations are being diverted to ineligible beneficiaries.

 

Mangre alleged that the Fisheries Department often delays compensation to families of genuine fishermen who lose their lives while fishing, while people who die during recreational activities along riverbanks are allegedly being provided assistance from the same fund.

 

He said the fund is not a general government grant but is built partly from contributions collected from fishermen, including a 1.5% component from the purchase of petrol, diesel and kerosene. Therefore, he argued, the money should be used exclusively for the welfare and economic rehabilitation of genuine fishermen and their dependent families.

 

Mangre urged the government and the Fisheries Department to ensure strict verification of beneficiaries, prevent misuse of the fund and provide timely compensation to families of fishermen who die during fishing activities.

 

The allegations regarding payments to people who die during recreational activities have not been independently verified, and no response from the Fisheries Department or the state government was available on the specific claims.