The agonising wait for cash compensation by fishermen affected by the annual fishing ban for 61 days, which began on April 15, continues due to procedural delays. Even as there are innumerable complaints regarding denial of compensation to those who submitted their claims last year, all those rendered jobless this time have been demanding early disbursal of the amount to make both ends meet. The State government has dispensed with the distribution of rice and, instead, introduced payment of Rs. 4,000 per eligible family. There are also complaints that 1,300 fishermen, who were found to be eligible last time, have not yet got the amount due to various reasons. We want the release of the amount on time so that we can plan the monthly budget, Chikati Chinna Rao, who works as a khalasi on a mechanised boat, told The Hindu . Each mechanised boat engages an eight-member crew, which includes a driver, a cook, and khalasis. In all, 700 boats are operated at the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour. According to sources, the government has sanctioned Rs. 23 crore towards payment of compensation this year. It is yet to be released. Last year, we got the amount after the end of the ban period. Now, the government should pay us at least Rs. 150 per day in lieu of loss of livelihood during the annual crop holiday period, said Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour Workers’ Union general secretary J.D. Naidu. Repair works The ban period is utilised for overhauling and repairing the boats. As we are facing finance problem, we are yet to start painting, plumbing, engine repair, and other works on the boats, said Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy, president, Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association. AP Mechanised Boat Operators’ Welfare Association president P.Ch. Appa Rao said the treasury was playing spoilsport in most cases in releasing the amounts sanctioned by the government, He alleged that nearly Rs. 1 crore sanctioned for release towards oil subsidy lapsed last year due to the indifferent attitude of the Treasury Department. The issue had been brought to the notice of Visakha South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar.