Puducherry CM Seeks Petroleum Ministry Intervention to Restore Diesel Pricing for Fishing Federation

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has appealed to the Union government to maintain retail-equivalent fuel rates for local fishing cooperatives to prevent operational collapse.

The economic viability of the Puducherry fishing sector is under significant strain, prompting Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to formally seek intervention from the Union Petroleum Ministry. In a recent communication to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, the CM urged the Centre to continue supplying diesel to the Pondicherry State Fishermen Cooperative Federation at rates comparable to standard retail outlets, rather than the more expensive bulk consumer pricing.

A Crucial Subsidy Under Threat

The fuel outlets operated by the federation in Puducherry and Yanam are dedicated exclusively to registered fishing vessels. These facilities, which distribute approximately 50 lakh litres of diesel annually, do not serve the general public. For years, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) maintained a special arrangement that allowed the federation to purchase fuel at retail-equivalent rates, shielding the fishing community from the higher costs associated with bulk purchasing.

However, this arrangement expired in March. Following a recent revision in pricing structures, the gap between bulk rates and retail outlet prices has widened, significantly inflating the operational expenditure for mechanised boats. Given that fuel remains the single largest expense for those in the industry, the current price differential has become a major hurdle for the fleet’s continued operation.

Seeking a Long-Term Solution

Beyond the immediate restoration of the previous arrangement, the Puducherry CM has requested that the Petroleum Ministry consider establishing a formal, long-term special pricing mechanism or a dedicated subsidy for registered fishing cooperatives. By ensuring that these consumer outlets can access fuel at stable, fair rates, the administration hopes to insulate the local fishing economy from volatile market fluctuations that threaten the livelihoods of thousands.

Diplomatic Hurdles

In a separate outreach, the Chief Minister has also reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the ongoing detention of local fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. While six of the seven fishermen apprehended in April have since been released, the administrative efforts continue to secure the return of the remaining individual from T.R. Pattinam in the Karaikal region. These twin appeals highlight the multifaceted challenges currently facing the coastal Union Territory as it balances diplomatic concerns with essential economic support for its maritime workforce.