Gandhinagar, July 8 -- In a major decision aimed at the economic empowerment of the fishing community, the Gujarat government on Wednesday approved a significant revision to the Diesel VAT Relief Scheme, removing the 20-metre boat length restriction for eligibility.

According to an official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the decision was taken during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Briefing the media, Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani said that the Cabinet has approved a major revision to the scheme providing VAT relief on diesel used by mechanised fishing boats.

Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani said that under the earlier provisions, only mechanised fishing boats measuring...