Lok Sabha Question No. 2084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Weather-Based Index Insurance Scheme
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2084 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH MARCH, 2022

## Weather-Based Index Insurance Scheme

## 2084.  SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to secure the livelihood of workers in the fishing sector by taking into consideration that almost 67% of fishermen live below poverty line, according to a census conducted by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute;
- (b) whether the Government is considering last year, at least four cyclones hit different coastal parts of  India  and intends to introduce a weather-based index insurance scheme that will cover the loss suffered by the fishermen due to adverse climatic changes, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the  Government has any plans to provide insurance cover for fishing assets  such  as gear  and  craft  under  the  draft  National  Fisheries  Policy,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the timeframe by which such policy likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND 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) with a highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years with effect from 2020-21 to 202425 in all the States/Union Territories.  PMMSY inter-alia provides livelihood and nutritional support for  socio-economically  backward  active  traditional  fisher's  families  during  the  fishing  ban/lean period under which  Governmental financial assistance  of Rs. 3000/- per annum is provided to each enrolled  beneficiary  along  with  beneficiary  contribution  of  Rs.  1500/-  annually.    Further,  such accumulated  amount  of  Rs.  4500/-  is  disbursed  to  each  enrolled  beneficiary  by  the  respective State/UT  at  the  rate  of  Rs.  1500/-  per  month  during  the  fishing  ban/lean  period  for  three  months annually.

PMMSY also provides support for insurance to fishers and insurance premium subvention for fishing  vessels  under  its  Centrally  Sponsored  scheme  component.    Insurance  coverage  for  fishers includes (i) Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability, (ii) Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and (iii) insurance coverage for hospitalization expenses in the event of accident  for  a  sum  of  Rs.  25,000/-.    The  Department  of  Fisheries  has  no  proposal  for  providing weather-based index insurance scheme to cover  the loss  suffered  by  the  fishermen  due  to  adverse climatic changes. The draft National Fisheries Policy recommends for insurance of life, craft and gear and other assets of fishers from the vagaries of nature.

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