Lok Sabha Question No. 4874 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Rehabilitation  of Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4874 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  April, 2025

## Rehabilitation of Fishermen

## 4874. Prof. Sougata Ray

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that even after twenty years of Tsunami 2004, thousands of fishermen are not rehabilitated properly across the country, if so, the details of the fishermen yet to be rehabilitated properly, State wise;
- (b)  whether  the  concerned  authorities  utterly  failed  to  rehabilitate  the  affected  fishermen  of  the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  a  number  of  non-profit  organizations  were  constructed  sub-standard  homes  for  the affected fishermen, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  details  of  steps  to  be  taken  to  ensure  the  proper  rehabilitation  of  tsunami  2004  affected fishermen of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a) to  (d):  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  (DoF,  GoI)  is  mandated  for promotion and development of fishing and fisheries (inland, marine and beyond territorial waters) and its associated activities, including welfare of fishermen and other fisher-folk and strengthening of their livelihoods. Towards this endeavor, the DoF, GoI is implementing various schemes and programs for development of fisheries sector including welfare of the fishers and fish farmers, support for their livelihood  strengthening,  and  employment  generation  etc.  The  activities  supported  under  the schemes inter alia include Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS), Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), livelihood and  nutritional support  for socio-economically backward  active  traditional fishers, alternate/additional livelihood activities like mariculture including seaweed cultivation, open sea cage culture,  bivalve  cultivation,  ornamental  fisheries,  boats  and  nets  to  traditional  fishermen,  vessels communication and support system, deep sea fishing vessels, up gradation of fishing vessels, etc. The support provided to the fishermen and coastal communities under various activities implemented by  the  Government  help  in  mitigating  the  vulnerability  and  impact  of  climate  change  and  natural disasters on coastal fishermen communities.

The primary responsibility of disaster management rests with the State Governments concerned. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Government and provides requisite logistics and financial support. The State Government undertakes assessment of damages caused due to notified  natural  calamities  including  tsunami  and  provide  relief  assistance  from  State  Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal as per Government of India's approved norms. Additional financial assistance is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure in case of disaster of 'severe nature' which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1 st  April 2016 in order to achieve the objective of 'Housing for All' in rural areas, providing assistance to eligible rural households with basic amenities. Out of the cumulative target of 4.95 crore houses, 3.79 crore houses have been allotted to the States/UTs, out of which 3.31 crore houses have been sanctioned and more than 2.69 crore houses have been completed. Further, under PMAY-G up to five percent of targets are reserved for Special Projects, wherein targets are allocated to States for rehabilitation/relocation of households in case of natural hazards such as tsunami and floods.