Lok Sabha Question No. 2322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-03
Subject: Relief Package Compensation for Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2322 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  AUGUST, 2021

## Relief Package Compensation for Fishermen

## 2322.   SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has announced any relief package or compensation for fisher workers communities working on boats, after the impact of cyclones in various States this year, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  scheme  or  plan  to  help  fisher  workers  after  such calamities to find fruitful economic activities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to include fisher workers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation work after such calamities, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has provided compensation for damage to equipment such as fishing  nets  and  other  equipments  used  on  fishing  boats  separately,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the loss of economic opportunities to fishing  communities  due  to  loss  of  electricity  for  long  periods  of  time  as  a  result  of damage by cyclone and the steps taken by the Government to address the situation, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and Dairying  is  implementing  a  flagship  scheme  namely  'Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada Yojana  (PMMSY)  -  to  bring  about  Blue  Revolution  through  sustainable  and  responsible development of fisheries sector in India' with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years from financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories as a part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package and welfare of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers at the core of this scheme.   PMMSY inter-alia supports the fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors and other stakeholders for taking up livelihood and  economic activities in fisheries. The fishers and fish farmers centric activities supported under PMMSY are;

(i)  insurance  cover  for  fishers,  fish  farmers,  fish  workers,  (ii)  insurance  for  fishing  vessels, (iii)  livelihood  support  and  nutritional  support  for  socio-economically  backward  active traditional fishers during fishing ban/lean period, (iv) supply of boats and nets to traditional fishermen, (v) supply of safety kits for traditional and motorized fishing vessels, (vi) supply of communications  and  Potential  Fishing  Zones  devices  for  traditional  motorized  boats,  (vii) support for acquisition of technologically advanced fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, (viii)  Up-gradation  of  existing  fishing  vessels,  (ix)  Open  sea  cage  culture,  ornamental fisheries,  seaweed  cultivation  for  creating  alternative  employment  opportunities  to  coastal communities,  (x)  development  of  integrated  modern  fishing  villages,  (xi)  development  of fishing  harbours,  landing  centres,  cold  chain  facilities,  supply  of  fish  transport  vehicles, marketing  etc.  Under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act (MGNREGA), creation  of infrastructure for promotion of fisheries such as, fish drying yards, storage  facilities,  and  promotion  of  fisheries  in  seasonal  water  bodies  on  public  land  as community assets or individual assets for vulnerable sections are permitted and taken up as per demand. Besides, PMMSY implemented by the Department of Fisheries provides suitable convergence and linkages with the MGNREGA for promotion of fisheries and aquaculture.

(d) and (e): Financial assistance is provided to people affected (including fishermen) through State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  and  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  in accordance with the items  and  norms  of  SDRF/NDRF for 12 notified calamities.  Financial assistance under the SDRF/NDRF in the wake of natural disaster is by way of relief and not for  compensation  of  loss  as  suffered/claimed.  Under  the  SDRF/NDRF  items  and  norms, assistance to fishermen is provided for repair/replacement of boats/net damaged due to natural calamities.

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