National Scheme Of Welfare Of Fishermen
This topic of “National Scheme Of Welfare Of Fishermen” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Portion.
Introduction:
- The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance to fishermen.
- The scheme aims to provide basic amenities such as housing, community halls, and tube wells for drinking water.
- It also offers insurance and savings cum relief scheme to ensure financial and social securities for fishermen and their families.
Ministry/Agency:
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Objectives:
- Provide fishermen with basic amenities such as housing, community halls, tube wells for drinking water.
- Ensure financial and social securities of fishermen and their families.
- Upgrade the standard of living of fishermen.
- Educate and train fishermen in advanced technical technologies so that they can learn scientific ways of fishing.
Benefits:
- Housing facility with a base area within 35 sq. mt. and cost not exceeding ₹75,000.
- Construction of community hall with a base area measuring 200 sq. mt. and within ₹2 lakh.
- Assurance of clean drinking water with one tube well for every 20 houses.
- Insurance facility for group accident insurance for active fishermen.
- Saving cum relief scheme with a contribution of ₹75 from marine fishermen for 8 months in a year.
- Refund of paid amount with interest at the end of the 4th month if any fishermen fail to make payment.
Eligibility:
- Inland fishermen living in coastal areas and with whom the respective States and Union Territories have officially licensed are eligible.
- The age of fishermen must be below 60 years old.
- Applicant fishermen must belong to the BPL category and be engaged in full-time activities inland.
- Marine fishermen who operate under State, Union Territories, and FISHCOPFED are eligible.
- Their respective States and Union Territories must officially license marine fishermen.
- They must involve themselves in full-time activities at sea and be a member of the Welfare Society or Federation or Cooperative Society.
Implementation strategy:
- The scheme is centrally sponsored and implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
- Financial assistance provided to construct houses, community halls, tube wells, and insurance facilities for fishermen.
- Training and education provided to fishermen in advanced technical technologies to learn scientific ways of fishing.
