Fishermen Welfare schemes                                                                                                             Back

1. Assistance to Fish marketing and Mathsyavahini -In order to help fisher folk, to sell and transport harvested fish in fresh and hygienic condition, assistance is provided for the purchase of a bicycle and insulated boxes with 50% subsidy, subject to a maximum limit of Rs.1250/- per head. 25% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs.7500/- is provided for purchase of two-wheeler and insulated boxes. The beneficiaries of this scheme can obtain balance amount as loan from financial institutions.

For quick transportation of fish in hygienic condition from fish landing centres to marketing places, 25% subsidy to a maximum of Rs.25, 000/- is provided for the purchase of 3 wheeler tempo rickshaw to a group of 3-4 persons.

2. Assistance to fishermen for purchase of fishery requisites

Under this scheme, members of the Fishermen Co-operative Societies are given loan-cum-subsidy at the ratio of 2:1 for purchase of fishery requisites and subsidy is provided to inland fishermen for raising loan from the financial institutions. (Maximum subsidy eligible is Rs.3000/- for individuals and Rs.5, 000/- for group of fishermen).

3. Matsya Mahila Swavalambana Yojane

Women play a pivotal role in the entire economy chain of post harvest fisheries. The predominant role they play is in the marketing of fish and fishery products. The increasing cost of fish and the paucity of fish available from traditional crafts have pushed these women to be dependent on private money lenders for resources much needed for their day to day trading. Under the scheme "Matsya Mahila Swavalambana Yojane", a revolving fund is provided to group of fisherwomen at the rate of Rs.10, 000 for each group were involved in fisheries activities like marketing.

4. Matsya Ashraya Scheme

The State government has introduced Matsya Ashraya scheme to provide houses to houseless fishermen. There is a demand for 28,000 houses in the State. Under Matsya Ashraya scheme houses at a cost of Rs.40, 000/- are constructed.

5. Savings-cum-relief scheme for marine fishermen

Under the scheme, a sum of Rs.75 per month is collected from marine fishermen for a period of 8 fishing months in a year. The total amount of Rs.600 thus collected from each fisherman will be matched with an equal amount by the State and Central Governments and is disbursed during 4 lean months to them at the rate of Rs.300 per month.

6. Group Accident Insurance Scheme

Under the centrally sponsored scheme, premium of Rs.14.00 per head is paid to the National Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Ltd., New Delhi towards insurance coverage of 60,000 fishermen of the State.

The insurance coverage is extended to the fishermen who are exposed to the hazards of natural calamities during fishing. The insurance amount payable is Rs.50, 000/- in case of death and complete disability and Rs.25, 000/- in case of partial disability.

7. Distress relief fund

Distress relief fund was created in order to provide relief to fishermen/their dependents in case of death/permanent disability while fishing. The relief amount provided from the distress relief fund has been increased from Rs.25, 000/- per head to Rs.50, 000/- per head from 2006-07 in case of death.

Under the scheme, training is imparted in fisheries activities. Subsidy is provided for purchase of fishery requisites, tank fisheries development and riverine fisheries development. Under this scheme, 100% subsidy is provided to the scheduled tribes beneficiaries.

Under the scheme, training is imparted in fisheries activities to the youth belonging to scheduled caste. Subsidy is provided for purchase of fishery requisites, tank fisheries development and riverine fisheries development. Under the scheme, subsidy @ 60% on inputs is provided to the beneficiaries.

Budget is provided for extension activities of the department like publishing articles on schemes, project and technologies used, purchase of materials for extension activities, publicity, seminars, workshops, film shows, exhibitions, under taking evaluation studies of schemes etc. Provision is also made to give cash awards, etc. to farmers.