Rising diesel costs push Maharashtra fishing industry into crisis
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Maharashtra’s traditional fishing industry is facing a severe economic crisis as rising diesel prices have made fishing operations increasingly unviable, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of coastal families.
Fishermen, who depend on subsidised fuel, say existing relief measures are no longer sufficient to offset the surge in international energy costs, partly driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East. The widening gap between operational expenses and the value of daily catch has left many struggling to sustain their work.
The situation has also triggered resentment among fishing communities, who allege unequal treatment compared to other states. They claim that fishermen in Gujarat have received targeted support from the Centre, while Maharashtra’s maritime workforce continues to operate without a comparable safety net. This has escalated the issue into a political flashpoint.
The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti has warned of an existential threat to the sector due to what it calls an unjust pricing structure. A member of the body highlighted that while retail consumers pay around Rs 90 per litre, fishermen are burdened with an additional Rs 22 surcharge because their cooperatives are classified as “Bulk Consumers.”
AMMKS president Devendra Tandel said the industry risks repeating the 2022 crisis and warned that without bridging the Rs 22 gap, fishing activity in the state could come to a halt.
The organisation has urged Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to abolish the “Bulk Consumer” classification for fisheries cooperatives and instead recognise them under a “Primary Sector” category to ensure parity with retail fuel prices.
Maharashtra Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane has also taken up the issue, writing to Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. He pointed out that despite a sanctioned quota for over 7,500 mechanised vessels, fishing societies are being forced to purchase diesel at higher industrial rates.
The state has sought measures, including reclassification of cooperatives, targeted subsidies through direct benefit transfer, and inclusion of fisheries under fuel protection schemes similar to those available for agriculture.