Question : Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

(a) whether the Government is successfully implementing Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System named ‘NAVIC’ for the welfare of fishermen in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of fishermen who got benefited from the said system since it’s inception, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether NAVIC is planned to become available for civilian use in the first half of 2020, if so, the details thereof;
(e) the total amount of funds allocated by the Government and utilized for this purpose during the last year; and
(f) the details of other steps taken by the Government to safeguard fishermen from high waves and approaching cyclones?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)
(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. Department of Space (DoS) has reported that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has designed NavIC messaging system and developed a NavIC receiver and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) is using this messaging system to broadcast emergency warning messages like cyclone, tsunami and high waves as and when it occurs and also for broadcasting of information of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ).
(c) and (d): DoS have reported that ISRO has transferred this technology to five industries in India to manufacture the receivers. The Fisheries Department of various coastal States have been made aware of this technology for the fishermen community. ISRO has distributed about 250 units each to the State Fisheries Department of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for the use of fishermen. ISRO also has proactively conducted trials for fishermen of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu reported that 200 NAVIC units have been provided to 80 clusters having 10 to 15 deep sea fishing boats of Tamil Nadu. Distribution of NAVIC has to be implemented by the Department of Fisheries of the respective State Governments.
(e) Funds for fisheries activities under the Blue Revolution scheme are provided based on the proposals received from the respective States and Union Territories as these are demand driven activities and hence, there is no such prior allocation exclusively for utilization for this purpose.
(f) Awareness programme and meetings for dissemination of information to fishermen are organised by the Department of Fisheries and alerts of high waves, cyclones, tsunami etc are being communicated through all type of media on receipt of the information from Cyclone Warning Centre for the safety and security of fishermen and fishing vessels.
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