AP CM releases Rs 161 cr for ONGC-affected fishermen

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday released Rs 161.86 crore towards fourth tranche of financial assistance to fishermen who lost their livelihood due to the laying of ONGC pipelines in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada districts.

Virtually releasing the amount from his camp office at Tadepalli near here coinciding with World Fisheries Day, he reiterated his commitment for the welfare of the fishermen families. An amount Rs 69,000 each will be directly credited into the bank accounts of 23,458 affected fishermen as per the government’s plan of extending a monthly assistance of Rs 11,500 for six months from January to June 2023.

So far, the government has paid Rs 485 crore to the families of affected fishermen, he said, adding that the government took steps to pay even the dues kept pending during the TDP rule.

The Chief Minister was scheduled to release the amount during his tour of Sullurpet assembly constituency on Tuesday but due to heavy rains, his scheduled trip was cancelled.