The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen in India with an investment of Rs.20,050 crore in all States/ Union Territories.  The scheme inter-alia envisages several welfare related activities for fishers and fish farmers wherein the Department has approved the National Rollout Plan of Vessel Communication and Support System under the PMMSY scheme including installation of transponders on 1,00,000 fishing vessels in all Coastal States and Union Territories with a total outlay of Rs. 364.00 Crore. The assistance for transponder is provided free of cost to the boat owners to send short text messages with a two way communication during any emergency covering entire EEZ of the country. It also gives alerts to the fishermen if they approach or crosses Maritime Boundaries. In addition, other activities include (i) development of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages in the maritime States/UTs with an aim to maximize economic and social benefits to coastal fishers while minimizing environmental degradation through sustainable fishing practices, (ii)  insurance with a coverage of Rs.5.00 lakh against accidental death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh against accidental permanent partial disability and  Rs. 25,000 against accidental hospitalization in the age group of 18 to 70 years, (iii) livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers families for conservation of fish resources during fishing ban/lean period in the age group of 18 to 60 years wherein assistance is provided @Rs.3000/- per fishers and beneficiaries’ own contribution of Rs.1500/- for three months during fishing ban/lean period in the ratio of 50:50 for general state, 80:20 for North Eastern States and Himalayan States while 100% for UTs.

Further, under the ongoing PMMSY, there is a provision to provide  financial assistance for setting up of Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) to economically empower the fishers and fish farmers and enhance their bargaining power which ultimately help to improve the standard of living of fishers. The Department of Fisheries has so far accorded approval for setting up of a total of 2195 FFPOs at a total project cost of Rs.544.85 crore comprising 2000 fisheries cooperative as FFPOs and 195 new FFPOs. Further, to facilitate access to institutional credit by fishers and fish farmers, Kisan Credit Card facility has been extended to fisheries since 2018-19 and till date 4,50,799 KCC card have been sanctioned to fishers and fish farmers.

This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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