Question : SCHEME FOR FISHERMEN

(a) whether the Union Government has received various proposals from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for Infrastructure Development Reservoir and National Welfare Fund Scheme for fishermen for marketing of fish;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the time by which the pending proposals are likely to be sanctioned;

(d) whether fishermen belonging to Below Poverty Line families are entitled to get benefits under these schemes;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the funds provided by the Union Government to various States for these schemes during the said period, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) to (f): Yes, Madam. Proposals have been received from Government of Tamil Nadu under various Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes relating to fisheries. The State-wise details of the funds released including to Government of Tamil Nadu during last three years and the current financial year are at Annexure-A1 to A5. Sanction of proposals and releases of funds is made after evaluation in accordance with the scheme guidelines and obtaining utilization certificate and progress report of the previously released amount. Fishermen belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are also entitled to benefits under these schemes.