Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launch a New Scheme For The Development of Marine Fisheries And The Welfare of Fishermen

In This To Promote Fish Production, Modernisation of Fishery, Ensuring Food And Nutrition Security Has Been Emphasized To Empower Fishermen And Aquaculture Farmers:
** Prime Minister Narendra Modi **

The Centrally Sponsored ‘National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen’ envisaging to provide financial assistance to fishers for construction of house, community hall for recreation and common working place and installation of tube-wells for drinking water and assistance during lean period through saving cum relief component was in operation till the terminal year of the 9th Plan. This welfare scheme has been continued during the 10th Plan. The Plan Outlay approved for the scheme for the entire period of the 10th Plan is Rs 120 crore.

Development of Model Fishermen Villages: Under this component, the eligible fishermen in inland and marine sector would be provided with basic civic amenities like houses, drinking water and commonplace for recreation and work. The respective States/UT’s shall provide land for development of these amenities. The States should keep the following criteria in view while selecting beneficiaries for allotment of houses under the scheme:-
The beneficiary should be an active fisherman identified by the State Government.
Preference should be given to fishermen below poverty line and to landless fishermen.
Fishermen owning land or kutcha structure may also be considered for allotment of houses under the scheme.
Cost of the development would be shared equally by the Central Government and State Governments subject to the conditions indicated below. In case of Union Territories, the entire expenditure shall be borne by the Government of India.

Housing: A Fishermen Village may consist of not less than 10 houses. There is no upper limit for the number of houses to be constructed in a village, which would depend on the number of eligible fishermen in that village. However, the State Governments may ensure equitable distribution of houses among all villages in proportion to the number of eligible fishermen, as far as possible. The plinth area and cost of construction of a house would be limited to 35 Sq. mts. And Rs 40,000/- respectively. The ceiling on land and cost of construction indicate the upper limit. The State Government may plan and ensure optimizing the use of available resources so that more number of houses could be built within the budgeted amount.
Drinking Water: A fishermen village would be provided with one tubewell for every 20 houses. Where a village consists of only 10 houses or more but less than 20 houses, one tubewell may be provided for such a village. The cost of installation of a tubewell should not exceed Rs 30,000/-. However, for North-Eastern states the cost of installation of a tubewell up to Rs 35,000/- would be permissible as a special case for which the State Government should furnish adequate justification. The actual number of tubewells to be installed in a village may be rationalized on the basis of actual water requirement of the inhabitant families and the capacity of the tubewells.
A fishermen village may be provided with alternative source of drinking water supply in case tubewells are not a practical proposition, provided the additional expenditure, over and above what would otherwise be admissible if tubewells were to be provided on the basis of number of houses for which the facility is intended, is met entirely by the State Government.

Community Halls/Work Shed: As a recreation and common working place, a fishermen village with at least 75 houses will be eligible to seek assistance for construction of a community hall if found necessary. The hall will be constructed on an area not exceeding 200 sq. mts. Two toilets and a tubewell will also be provided with a community hall. The total cost of the hall should not exceed Rs1,75,000/-. The State/UT’s should ensure optimum utilization of the community hall by permitting its utilization as a drying yard and also as mending shed. If required, construction of walls for the community hall may be dispensed with so that it may be a structure with pillars and roofs to permit its optimum utilization as a common working place for fishermen.

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