G/SCM/N/253/IND/Suppl.2  
 
22 April 2016  
(16-2292)  Page: 1/4  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
SUBSIDIES 
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVI:1 OF 
THE GATT 1994 AND ARTICLE 25 OF THE AGREEMENT ON 
SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES 
INDIA 
Supplement 
The following communication, dated 21 April 2016, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of India.  
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 The following notification constitutes India's new notification of information on programmes 
granted or maintained in respect of fisheries subsidies at the central government level in India. In 
general, the period to which the following information applies is the Financial Years 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.  
 
The information provided in this notification is for transparency purposes in order to clarify the operation of programmes or measures. In accordance with Article 25.7 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM), this notification does not in any way prejudice the 
legal status, nature or effects of government assistance programmes under the ASCM and GATT 
1994, including as to whether or not the programmes notified are specific within the meaning of the ASCM. 
 
This information is also with reference to India's reply
1 to the US Question no. 1. There is no 
subsidy scheme in the form of provision of goods or services for development of Inland Fisheries 
and Aquaculture. Accordingly, India is notifyin g the two schemes viz. 'Development of Inland 
Fisheries and Aquaculture' and 'National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)'.  
 
 
                                               
1 G/SCM/Q2/IND/43. G/SCM/N/253/IND/Suppl.2 
 
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  ASSISTANCE FROM THE CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEME "DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND 
FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE" 
1. Title of the Programme 
 
Assistance from the Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Development of Inland Fisheries and 
Aquaculture"  
2. Policy Objectives/and or purpose of the Subsidy 
 
i. Enhancement of Inland fish production and fish productivity. 
ii. Popularization of modern fish farming. 
iii. Creation of employment opportunities through fisheries.  
iv. Diversifying aquaculture practices. 
v. Providing assistance to fish farmers engaged in aquaculture. 
vi. Provide training to fish farmers of Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) and 
Brackishwater Fish Farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs). 
3. Background & Authority for the Subsidy 
 
Development of fisheries in India is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territories. The Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments and Union Territories for development of fisheries sector through the Central Plan Schemes. The 
Components of this programme include the following: 
 
a. Development of Freshwater Aquaculture; 
b. Development of Brackishwater Aquaculture; 
c. Coldwater Fisheries and Aquaculture; 
d. Development of Waterlogged Areas; 
e. Productive Utilisation of Inland Saline/Alkaline Soils for Aquaculture;  
f. Integrated development of Inland Capture Resources (reservoirs/rivers etc.);  
g. Innovative Projects 
The details of this programme are available in the public domain and can be accessed at: 
http://www.dahd.nic.in .  
 
4. Form of Subsidy 
 Subsidy is provided in the form of financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries to take up fisheries development activities covered under different components of the scheme.  
 
5. Amount of Subsidy 
 Details of funds released by the Central Government during the last three fiscal years are as 
under: 
 2012-2013:  314.16 Million Rupees 
2013-2014:  310.39 Million Rupees 
2014-2015:  263.22 Million Rupees.   G/SCM/N/253/IND/Suppl.2 
 
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  6. To whom & how subsidy is provided 
 
Financial assistance under the scheme is extended to selected eligible beneficiaries (which varies under different components of the scheme, and may be fishers, fish farmers and entrepreneurs 
etc. as the case may be) through Fish Farmers Development Agencies / State Fisheries 
Department.  
 
7. Duration 
 
Ongoing.   
8. Trade effects of the subsidy 
 
Not available. 
 
 CENTRALLY SECTOR SCHEME OF NATIONAL FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT BOARD 
1. Title of the Programme 
 
Centrally Sector Scheme of National Fisheries Development Board  
2. Policy Objectives/and or purpose of the Subsidy 
 
The main objectives of NFDB is to: 
 
i. bring activities relating to fisheries and aquaculture for focused attention and 
professional management, 
ii. enhance contribution of fish and fisheries towards food and nutritional security, 
iii. improve production, processing, storage, transport and marketing of the products 
from capture and culture fisheries, 
iv. achieve sustainable management and conservation of natural aquatic resources 
including the fish stocks,  
v. apply modern tools of research and development including genetics and 
biotechnology for optimizing production  and productivity from fisheries,  
vi. provide modern infrastructure mechanisms for fisheries, 
vii. generate substantial employment and 
viii. train and empower women in fisheries sector. 
3. Background & Authority for the Subsidy 
 
With a prime aim of enhancing fish production and productivity in a diversified segment of Indian 
fisheries for the purpose of food security and livelihood support through various fishery 
developmental schemes in an integrated manner, the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India 
has set up an autonomous and a Special Purpose Vehicle called National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) various schemes being implemented by NFDB are: 
 
A.  Aquaculture related schemes  
i. Intensive Aquaculture in ponds and tanks 
ii. Cold water Fisheries 
iii. Coastal Aquaculture 
iv. Mariculture 
 G/SCM/N/253/IND/Suppl.2 
 
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  B. Reservoir Fisheries 
 
i. Reservoir Fisheries Development 
C. Fishery Infrastructure Development 
 
i. Deep Sea Fishing and Tuna Processing 
ii. Infrastructure for post harvest processing 
iii. Domestic Marketing 
iv. Fish Dressing Centre and Solar Drying of Fish 
D.  Others 
 
i. Ornamental Fisheries & Other Activities 
ii. Human Resource Development 
The details of this Scheme are available in the public domain and can be accessed at: 
http://nfdb.gov.in/ . 
 
4. Form of Subsidy 
 Subsidy is provided in the form of financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries (which varies under different components of the scheme, and may be fi shers, fish farmers and entrepreneurs etc., as 
the case may be) to take up fisheries development activities covered under different components 
of the scheme.  
 5. Amount of Subsidy 
 Details of funds released by the Central Government during the last three fiscal years are as under: 
 
2012-2013:  1082.53 Million Rupees 2013-2014:  1174.53 Million Rupees 2014-2015:  864.39 Million Rupees. 
 
6. To whom & how subsidy is provided 
 
The financial assistance is provided to the eligible beneficiaries primarily through concerned State 
Governments and Union Territories.  
7. Duration 
 
Ongoing.   
8. Trade effects of the subsidy 
 
Not available. 
 
 
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