Question : Relief Package Compensation for Fishermen

(a) whether the Government has announced any relief package or compensation for fisher workers communities working on boats, after the impact of cyclones in various States this year, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has any scheme or plan to help fisher workers after such calamities to find fruitful economic activities, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to include fisher workers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation work after such calamities, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has provided compensation for damage to equipment such as fishing nets and other equipments used on fishing boats separately, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the loss of economic opportunities to fishing communities due to loss of electricity for long periods of time as a result of damage by cyclone and the steps taken by the Government to address the situation, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) to (c): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) - to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years from financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories as a part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package and welfare of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers at the core of this scheme. PMMSY inter-alia supports the fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors and other stakeholders for taking up livelihood and economic activities in fisheries. The fishers and fish farmers centric activities supported under PMMSY are;


(i) insurance cover for fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, (ii) insurance for fishing vessels, (iii) livelihood support and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers during fishing ban/lean period, (iv) supply of boats and nets to traditional fishermen, (v) supply of safety kits for traditional and motorized fishing vessels, (vi) supply of communications and Potential Fishing Zones devices for traditional motorized boats, (vii) support for acquisition of technologically advanced fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, (viii) Up-gradation of existing fishing vessels, (ix) Open sea cage culture, ornamental fisheries, seaweed cultivation for creating alternative employment opportunities to coastal communities, (x) development of integrated modern fishing villages, (xi) development of fishing harbours, landing centres, cold chain facilities, supply of fish transport vehicles, marketing etc. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), creation of infrastructure for promotion of fisheries such as, fish drying yards, storage facilities, and promotion of fisheries in seasonal water bodies on public land as community assets or individual assets for vulnerable sections are permitted and taken up as per demand. Besides, PMMSY implemented by the Department of Fisheries provides suitable convergence and linkages with the MGNREGA for promotion of fisheries and aquaculture.

(d) and (e): Financial assistance is provided to people affected (including fishermen) through State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in accordance with the items and norms of SDRF/NDRF for 12 notified calamities. Financial assistance under the SDRF/NDRF in the wake of natural disaster is by way of relief and not for compensation of loss as suffered/claimed. Under the SDRF/NDRF items and norms, assistance to fishermen is provided for repair/replacement of boats/net damaged due to natural calamities.

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