![Discrepancies found in claims regarding fishermen corpus fund in Goa say fishermen](http://media.assettype.com/heraldgoa%2Fimport%2Fuploads%2Fnews%2F206257_WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-16-at-22.12.14.jpeg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) has allegedly uncovered significant discrepancies between the statements made by officials of the Fisheries Department and the records in official documents. The discrepancies raise concerns about the management and transparency of the Corpus Fund for Fishermen in Goa. The fishermen claimed Director of Fisheries, stated a fund of 20 crore rupees, but records show it to be Rs. 25,14,52,802. AGSSRFU questioned the motives behind misleading information from officials and called for awareness programmes on the Corpus Fund and insurance schemes. They have also requested the fisheries minister to look into the matter.
Minister of Fisheries, Nilkhant Halankar, claimed the fishermen's committee manages the fund, but an official order from May 2013 reveals that the minister is the Chairman of the managing committee. Director of Fisheries, Sharila Monteiro, stated a fund of 20 crore rupees, but records show it to be Rs. 25,14,52,802. Monteiro claimed Rs. 8 lakh transferred to beneficiaries, but records indicate it was Rs. 75.85 lakh, sanctioned to 24 individuals in a single meeting.