The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has implemented a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ for a period of 5 years from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and “National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen” is one of the component of this scheme. The said scheme has ended on 31stMarch, 2020.
Presently, the Department is implementing a flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)- a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector with a highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years with effect from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all the States/Union Territories. PMMSY inter-alia has also provision for welfare related activity namely (i) Livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers families during fishing ban/lean period. Under this component assistance is provided @ Rs. 4500/- per fishers which includes Rs. 3000/- per fishers to be provided by the Governemntal and Rs. 1500/- to be contributed by the beneficiary for three months consisting of fishing ban/lean periods and (ii) Insurance to Fishers. The insurance coverage for fishers includes (i) Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability,
(ii) Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and (iii) insurance coverage for hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000.
A sum of Rs. 369.55 crore of central share has been spent for implementation of National Scheme for welfare of Fishermen since 2017-18 to 2021-22 (till date) in the country. This includes Rs. 224.12crore under the CSS on Blue Revolution during the period of 2017- 18 to 2019-20 and Rs. 145.43 crore under PMMSY scheme during 2020-21 to 2021-22 (till 31st January, 2022).
Under the scheme on CSS on ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ the Department has released a sum of Rs.11.60 crores and an average of 36,13,438 nos of beneficiaries were covered under the Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen during the period between 2017-18 to 2019-20. Under PMMSY, a sum of Rs. 14.68 crore has been released to provide Insurance coverage to 22,14,893 beneficiaries during 2020-21 to 2021-22 (till date).
An average of 2,97,789 fishers have registered an annual basis to avail assistance under Saving-cum-relief scheme during fishing ban/lean period between the year 2017-18 and 2019-20 under the erstwhile CSS on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development & Management of Fisheries. Under PMMSY 1,34,733 fishers during 2020-21 and 6,48,462 fishers have registered during 2021-22(till date) under the activity of livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families for conservation of fisheries resources during fishing ban/lean period.
This information was given by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
***
MV/MG