Question : National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen

(a) the details of income support and insurance components under the National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen;

(b) whether the Government has taken steps to promote the scheme and ensure large coverage, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the benefits that can be availed easily by the dependants of the fishermen who die in accidents;

(d) whether there is coverage for fishermen who are injured seriously in accidents through income support plan;

(e) whether there is coverage for repair and restoration of fishing vessels and equipments under the scheme or any other scheme, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the further steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely “PradhanMantriMatsyaSampadaYojana (PMMSY) - to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crorefor a period of 5 years from financial year 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories(UTs).Under the PMMSY income support is provided during fishing ban/lean period in the form of livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families for conservation of fish resources. Under this component, Governmental financial assistance of Rs. 3000/- per enrolled fishers isshared in the ratio of 50:50 between Centre and general State, 80:20 between Centre and North Eastern and Himalayan States while 100% central assistance for UTs. Besides, the beneficiary is contributed Rs. 1500/- annually and the total accumulated amount of Rs. 4500/- annually is disbursed to the enrolled beneficiary by the respective states/UTs at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per month during the fishing ban/lean period.

(e) to (f): Under the PMMSY, insurance to fishers and insurance premium subvention for fishing vessels is provided.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) Rs. 25,000/- hospitalization expenses. Whereas the insurance premium subvention activity for fishing vessels covers hull, machinery, accessories including fishing nets, collision liability, total loss, partial loss, and losses caused by Natural Calamities. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying with a view to promote and create awareness of the PMMSY and its components amongst the stakeholders, has been disseminating the details of Scheme through various mode like print media, websites, digital media, web-based applications, seminars, workshops, outreach programme, social media and outdoor campaigning.
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