Gujarat: CM Bhupendra Patel removes 20-metre length restriction for fishing boat diesel VAT relief
Gandhinagar, July 8
In a major decision aimed at the economic empowerment of the fishing community, the Gujarat government on Wednesday approved a significant revision to the Diesel VAT Relief Scheme, removing the 20-metre boat length restriction for eligibility.
According to an official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the decision was taken during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Briefing the media, Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani said that the Cabinet has approved a major revision to the scheme providing VAT relief on diesel used by mechanised fishing boats.
Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani said that under the earlier provisions, only mechanised fishing boats measuring less than 20 metres in length were eligible for the scheme. The State Cabinet has now removed this restriction in the larger interest of the fishing community. As a result, all mechanised fishing boats in Gujarat, including deep-sea fishing boats, will now be eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.
To avail the benefit, fishing boats must be registered on the Real Craft Portal and possess a valid fishing licence. Shri Jitu Vaghani added that with this decision, more than 18,000 registered mechanised fishing boats across Gujarat will become eligible for diesel VAT relief.
He further said that all eligible mechanised fishing boats will be issued a Diesel Card under the scheme. Cardholders will receive diesel VAT relief of up to Rs 15 per litre. However, if the applicable VAT is less than Rs 15 per litre, the subsidy will be limited to the actual VAT amount.
The Minister said that extending this benefit to fishermen operating small, medium and large mechanised boats alike will significantly reduce their daily fuel expenses, strengthen their financial condition and enhance their income. He also urged fishermen who have not yet completed registration on the Real Craft Portal or obtained a valid fishing licence to do so at the earliest to avail the benefits of the revised scheme.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is great news for Gujarat's coastal communities. Every rupee saved on diesel helps a family put food on the table. But I hope the Real Craft Portal registration is easy and accessible, especially for older fishermen who aren't tech-savvy. The government should have help desks at harbours.
Good decision, but why only now? Our fishermen have been demanding this for years. The 20-metre limit was arbitrary and hurt the larger fishing vessels that go out for days. At ₹15 per litre relief, it will make a real difference. Hope other coastal states follow Gujarat's lead.
Very practical move. Diesel is the biggest expense for fishermen after the boat itself. But I wonder - will this really benefit the small-scale fishermen or just the big boat owners? The real issue is that middlemen often take most of the profit. Still, any relief is welcome. 😊
I'm from a fishing family in Veraval. This is a big deal for us. My uncle has a 22-metre boat that was excluded earlier. Now he can save almost ₹15,000 per trip on diesel. But the government should also ensure that the diesel cards are issued quickly and without corruption. Hope the implementation is smooth.
Impressive that Gujarat is supporting its fishermen while many other states ignore their coastal communities. The ₹15/litre relief is substantial. But I'm curious - is this just election-year politics or a genuine long-term policy? The fishing community deserves sustained support, not just one-time gestures.
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