Puducherry, Jan 19 : Stating that the diesel price hike would severely affect the fishermen, the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) today urged the Centre to immediately withdraw the hike.

NFF General Secretary M Illango in a statement today said 50 paise hike for a litre of diesel every month would result in heavy loss to the fishermen and many would be forced to quit the work. He said while the Union Government was providing diesel at the manufacturing rate to foreign vessels engaged in deep sea fishing here with the permission of the central government, the Centre should come forward at least to provide excise duty concession to the traditional fishermen.

- Agencies