Lok Sabha Question No. 387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Financial Assistance to Fisherfolk
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.387 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## Financial Assistance to Fisherfolk

## 387.SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a)   whether the Government proposes to provide the basic facilities to the fisherfolk so as to ensure their livelihood and if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  Kerosene  to  the  traditional fisherfolk  in  a  subsidized  rate,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c)   whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the traditional fisherfolk are in crisis due to the hike in price of fuel used in fishing boats and if so, the action taken to reduce the price;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  financial  assistance  to  the fisherfolk so as to ensure their livelihood;
- (e)    if so, the details of action taken thereon; and
- (f)      the  details  of  the  project  and  programmes of the Government for ensuring the welfare of fisherfolk in Kerala?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a):  Yes  Sir.  The  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by  the  Department  of  Fisheries, inter-alia envisages  support  towards  livelihood strengthening  activities  such  as  providing  boats  and  nets  to  traditional  fishermen, support  for  communication/tracking  devices,  providing  sea-safety  kits,  insurance cover to fishers, support for acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels, alternative/additional  livelihood  activities  like  seaweed  culture  &  bivalve  culture, training  &  skill  development,  support  towards  cold-chain  and  marketing  facilities. PMMSY  also  envisages  financial  assistance  towards  livelihood  and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisher's families during the fishing ban/lean period. Besides, the scheme also envisages construction of Fishing Harbours  and  Fish  Landing  Centres  ensuring  safe  landing  and  berthing  of  fishing boats/vessels.

(b)& (c): Allocation of Kerosene is handled by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). The MoPNG has informed that  effective from 1 st  March,  2020, the retail selling price of PDS Kerosene is being maintained at nil under-recovery level on pan India basis. The MoPNG has further reported that Government makes allocation of Public Distribution System (PDS) Kerosene for cooking and lighting purpose only on quarterly  basis  to  States/UTs.  Government  vide  order  dated  21st  August  2012, has  empowered  States/UTs  to  draw  an  allocation  of  one  month's  quota  of  PDS Kerosene at Non-Subsidized rates during each financial year for special needs such as natural calamities, religious  functions, fishermen,  various  yatras  etc.  States/UTs may seek further additional allocation after exhausting available quota.

(d) & (e): Under PMMSY, during the last three financial years (FY 2020-21 to 202223),  and  current  financial  year  (2023-24),  financial  assistance  for  the  projects amounting to Rs. 17118.62 crore has been approved to various State Governments/ Union  Territories and  other  implementing  agencies towards  developmental  of fisheries sector and livelihood support of the fisherfolk.

(f): During last three years (2020-21 to 2022-23) and current year (2023-24), the Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India,  under  PMMSY  has  accorded approvals  to the  fisheries  developmental  proposals  of  Government  of  Kerala amounting  to  Rs.903.32  crore.  Fisheries  developmental  projects  and  activities approved for Government of Kerala towards development of fisheries and welfare of fisherfolk  include,  livelihood  and  nutritional  support  to  active  traditional  fishers' families during fish ban, rearing & grow out ponds, hatcheries, ornamental fisheries, fish brood bank, fishing habours, fish landing centres deep sea fishing vessels, cages in  reservoirs,  bivalve  culture,  Re-circulatory  Aquaculture  System  (RAS),  biofloc culture units and pen culture units, ice-plants/cold storages, post-harvest transportation vehicles, fish vending centres, fish feed mills, retail markets, fish kiosk, Aquatic Referral Lab, boats and nets to traditional fishermen, Matsya Seva Kendras, Sagar Mitras and artificial reef for sustainability of fish stocks.

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