To supplement the efforts of States/UTs for promotion and development of fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing two schemes namely; (i) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). Under PMMSY during last two financial years (2020-21 and 2021-22) and the current financial year (2022-23) Department of Fisheries has accorded approvals to the proposals of 35 States/Union Territories and other Implementing agencies amounting to Rs. 12065.89 crores with central share of Rs. 4555.68 crore and Rs. 2166.36 crore has been released to various States/UTs benefitting 10.21 lakh beneficiaries. Under FIDF, 121 proposals worth Rs. 5,558.44 crores have been approved to various eligible entities including State/UTs and private individual entrepreneurs.

In the year 2018-19, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirement. The Reserve Bank of India vide circular FIDD.CO.FSD. BC.12/05.05.010/2018-19 dated 4^th February 2019 has issued the guidelines for KCC facility to fisheries sector for their working capital requirements wherein farmers either individual or joint borrower, Joint Liability Groups or Self Help Groups including tenant farmers having owned/rented/ leased sheds are eligible for getting benefits under the scheme. Further, Reserve Bank of India vide circular FIDD.CO.FSD. BC.10/05.02.001/2019- 20 dated 26^th August 2019 has extended the benefits of Interest Subvention at 2% and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) at 3% to fisheries sector (upto a maximum limit of Rs. 2 lakhs) to meet their working capital needs under the KCC scheme. Till date, 1,30,498 KCCs have been issued to fishers and fish farmers in the country.

This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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SS/RKM