Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Damage caused to Fisherfolk by Cyclone Amphan
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 124 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## Damage caused to Fisherfolk by Cyclone Amphan

## 124 . SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted a survey on the extent of damage caused to fisherfolk in  the  coastal  districts  in  Odisha  due  to  Cyclone  Amphan,  and  to fishfarmers  in  Odisha  due  to  flooding  in  the  Brahmani  river,  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the details of the steps taken to rehabilitate affected fisherfolk;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  an  analysis  on  the  economic  impact  of COVID-19 lockdown on fisherfolk, and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the steps taken to mitigate COVID19's economic impact on fisherfolk; and
- (e) whether the Government intends to provide direct, immediate financial assistance to fisherfolk in light of the COVID-19 crisis?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

- (a) and  (b):  The Government of Odisha has conducted survey and assessed the extent of damage caused due to  Cyclone  Amphan.  The  Government  of  Odisha  has  reported  that  20 fishermen in three coastal District of Odisha and 282 fish ponds with an area of 96 hectare have  affected  due  to  flooding  in  the  Brahmani  river.  The  State  Government  has  further reported that the assistance received from the State Relief Commissioner has been distributed to the affected fishermen through respective District Collector and there is no separate relief package extended by State Government as such.

(c) to (e)   In order to mitigate the hardship to fishermen, fish farmers, fish vendors and other stakeholders  caused  from  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  Government  of India and state Governments have  taken several steps. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  with  a  view  to  avoid  adverse  impact  on  fisheries  due  to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the country, had issued advisory to State Governments/Union Territories(UTs) to include fish and shrimp in the list of commodities to exempt from lockdown and also allow movement of fish and fish products, fish seed & fish feed  for  fish-farmers/fishers,  aquaculture  farms  and  other  commercial  establishments  like aquarium shop etc. Besides, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Guidelines dated 10 th April,2020 also  allowed  operations  of  the  fishing(marine)/aquaculture  industry  including  feeding  & maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing, hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish/shrimp and fish products, seed/feed and workers. In addition, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has launched a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)  as  a  part  of  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  COVID-19  relief  package  with  an  estimated investment of Rs.20,050 crores for implementation over a period of 5 years from Fy 2020-21 to Fy 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories including Odisha. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Fisheries Husbandry and Dairying has approved the projects of Government  of  Odisha  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.185.50  crores  with  central  share  of  Rs.56.82 crores  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY)  during  the  financial year  2020-21and  released  the  first  instalment  of  central  share  of  Rs.28.41  crore  to  the Government of Odisha.

*****