Value Added Tax-Based Subsidy on H.S.D. Oil Consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme

<p>Value Added Tax-Based Subsidy on H.S.D. Oil Consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme is a state-run scheme by the Department of Fisheries to support registered fishing vessel owners by reimbursing the actual Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on H.S.D. oil consumed during their fishing operations.</p>

<p>Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.</p>

<p>Government of Goa discontinued this VAT-based diesel subsidy for fishing vessels with effect from November 2022. The decision was approved by the state government and confirmed through an official notification issued by the Directorate of Fisheries in May 2023. As of August 2026, no fresh applications are being accepted under this scheme.</p>

<h2>Value Added Tax-Based Subsidy on H.S.D. Oil Consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme - Introduction</h2>

<p>Value Added Tax-Based Subsidy on H.S.D. Oil Consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme functioned as a supportive measure by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa. It was designed to reduce the operational costs for local fishermen by providing a reimbursement equal to the actual VAT paid on H.S.D. oil used by their registered fishing vessels. This scheme helped reduce financial strain on small-scale fishers in the region.</p>

<p>Applications for this scheme were accepted exclusively through the offline submission process. By covering these tax expenses, the government encouraged sustainable fishing practices across the state while the scheme was in force.</p>

<h3>Key Information</h3>

<table>
<tr><td><strong>Scheme Name</strong></td><td>Value Added Tax-Based Subsidy on H.S.D. Oil Consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Level</strong></td><td>State</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Scheme For</strong></td><td>Individual</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Beneficiary State</strong></td><td>Goa</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Category</strong></td><td>Agriculture, Rural & Environment</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Sub-Category</strong></td><td>Fishing and hunting, Financial assistance</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Benefit Type</strong></td><td>Cash</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>DBT Scheme</strong></td><td>No</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Nodal Department</strong></td><td>Fisheries Department</td></tr>
</table>

<h3>Benefits</h3>

<p>Under this scheme, vessel owners received a reimbursement equal to the actual VAT amount paid on their H.S.D. oil consumption. This was specifically for vessels used for authorized fishing activities within the limited quota defined by the government.</p>

<p>The government had set a maximum annual limit of <strong>20,000 K.L.</strong> of H.S.D. oil as the total quota available for the entire fishing industry per financial year. For instance, if a local fisherman paid a total of <strong>₹5,000</strong> in VAT on fuel purchases during the year, he could apply to get this <strong>₹5,000</strong> reimbursed as a subsidy, provided he stayed within the industry-wide quota limits.</p>

<h3>Eligibility</h3>

<p>To qualify for this financial support, the vessel owner had to meet the following criteria:</p>

<ul>
<li>Have a fishing vessel officially registered under the M.S. Act.</li>
<li>Hold a valid Net Licence and Fishing Licence for the current year.</li>
<li>Maintain a clear record with the Department of Fisheries, meaning the applicant must not be a defaulter.</li>
<li>Follow all regulations set by the Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980, and avoid any operational violations.</li>
<li>Buy H.S.D. oil only from officially approved outlets, such as those run by Registered Fisheries Co-operative Societies or other government-approved diesel stations.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Application Process</h3>

<p>Applications for this subsidy were submitted through the offline process at the Department of Fisheries. The steps below explain how the process worked.</p>

<p><strong>STEP 1</strong> - Obtain the prescribed application form directly from the Department of Fisheries office.</p>

<p><strong>STEP 2</strong> - Carefully fill out all details, affix a recent passport-sized photograph (signing across it), and attach self-attested copies of all required supporting documents.</p>

<p><strong>STEP 3</strong> - Submit the completed file to the concerned authority at the <strong>Department of Fisheries, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, Patto Colony, Panaji, Goa - 403 521</strong>. Alternatively, the application could be dropped off at the BDO Office or any local sub-office of the Department of Fisheries.</p>

<p>For complaints or issues with the service, contact the Grievance Redressal Officer of the department or email <strong>dir-fish.goa@nic.in</strong>. The department responds to complaints within 30 days. Current contact details are available on the <a href="https://www.goa.gov.in/department/fisheries/" target="_blank">Directorate of Fisheries page</a> on the Goa government portal.</p>

<h3>Documents</h3>

<p>The following documents were required while submitting the application:</p>

<ul>
<li>Statement of HSD Oil consumed</li>
<li>Original invoices and bills of HSD Oil purchase</li>
<li>Copy of VRC</li>
<li>Documented fish catch data</li>
<li>Fishing Vessel Licence Certificate</li>
<li>Fishing Net Licence Certificate</li>
<li>Duly filled Fishermen Corpus Fund Form</li>
<li>Report confirming the VAT charged on HSD Oil by the oil supplier</li>
</ul>

<h3>References</h3>

<p><a href="https://www.goa.gov.in/department/fisheries/" target="_blank">Directorate of Fisheries, Goa</a> | <a href="https://www.goa.gov.in/government/schemes/" target="_blank">Goa Government Schemes List</a> | <a href="https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fisheries-Citizen-Charter.pdf" target="_blank">Fisheries Citizen Charter 2026</a> | <a href="https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/govt-withdraws-vatbased-diesel-subsidy-for-trawlers/99945.html" target="_blank">News Report on Withdrawal of VAT Based Diesel Subsidy</a></p>

<h3>FAQ's</h3>

<h4>Is the scheme still running?</h4>
<p>No. Government of Goa discontinued the VAT-based diesel subsidy for fishing vessels with effect from November 2022. An official notification issued in May 2023 confirmed the closure, and the scheme remains closed as of August 2026.</p>

<h4>What is the contact information for the Directorate of Fisheries?</h4>
<p>You can call the office at 0832-2224838 or the Director's line at 0832-2227780. For written inquiries, fax to 0832-2231049 or email <strong>dir-fish.goa@nic.in</strong>.</p>

<h4>Can I procure H.S.D. Oil from any outlet?</h4>
<p>No. Fuel could be purchased only from Diesel Outlets managed by Registered Fisheries Co-operative Societies or other outlets specifically approved by the Government of Goa.</p>

<h4>How do I register a formal complaint?</h4>
<p>Contact the Department's Grievance Redressal Officer or email <strong>dir-fish.goa@nic.in</strong>. The department provides a resolution or update within 30 days.</p>

<h4>How is the subsidy amount calculated?</h4>
<p>The subsidy was equal to the total VAT paid on fuel, provided the total consumption in the fishing industry remained under the 20,000 K.L. annual limit.</p>

<h4>Are there any application fees?</h4>
<p>No. The application process for this scheme was free.</p>