Owners of 400 mechanised trawling boats in Kasimedu went on an indefinite strike on Monday demanding increased relief for the boats damaged in cyclone Vardah.
M. Vijaesh, secretary of the Chengai Singaravelar Visai Padagu Urimaiyalar Sangam (boat owners association), said over 150 of their boats were damaged and 22 had sunk leading to a loss of income to the owners and workers.
“The government has announced Rs. 36,000 as compensation for partially damaged boats and Rs. 5 lakh for fully damaged boats. But this is hardly enough to compensate our losses. Our boats cost anywhere between Rs. 20 lakh and Rs. 40 lakh each. Members of other associations too have refused to accept the amounts,” he said.
On insurance claims, an association member said the firms usually do not accept any claims. “They ask us to show the sunken boats. If we do manage to retrieve them using cranes, they only give us the cost of lifting the boats,” a boat owner said.
Another person who owns a boat said many boats were insured for very meagre amounts and that too only for getting diesel subsidy.
“Insurance premium is too high considering the fact that accidents happen far and between,” he said.
M. Vijaesh, secretary of the Chengai Singaravelar Visai Padagu Urimaiyalar Sangam (boat owners association), said over 150 of their boats were damaged and 22 had sunk leading to a loss of income to the owners and workers.
“The government has announced Rs. 36,000 as compensation for partially damaged boats and Rs. 5 lakh for fully damaged boats. But this is hardly enough to compensate our losses. Our boats cost anywhere between Rs. 20 lakh and Rs. 40 lakh each. Members of other associations too have refused to accept the amounts,” he said.
On insurance claims, an association member said the firms usually do not accept any claims. “They ask us to show the sunken boats. If we do manage to retrieve them using cranes, they only give us the cost of lifting the boats,” a boat owner said.
Another person who owns a boat said many boats were insured for very meagre amounts and that too only for getting diesel subsidy.
“Insurance premium is too high considering the fact that accidents happen far and between,” he said.