Maha Cabinet okays agri status for fishing

Mumbai: In a major policy decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday, approved according the agriculture status to fishing in a serious bid to promote its growth in the state. The government will provide infrastructure facilities and incentives to the fisheries sector.

The fishermen will now be entitled to compensation for damage on the lines of agriculture due to Tuesday's decision. State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane told reporters that "giving the status of agriculture to fishing is a game changer decision. Due to this decision, our state can come in the top three in fishing. Our state is at sixth position in terms of marine fishing. Nearly, 4,83,000 fishermen will get concessional benefits like farmers.