This scheme provides complete financial assistance to fishermen for the construction of a house, community hall for recreation, common working place, installation of tube-wells for drinking water and assistance during lean period through saving cum relief component.

The state will provide land for the development of the basic civic amenities. The state will select the beneficiaries as per the following criteria:
a Active fisherman identified by the state government.
b Fisherman below the poverty line and landless fishermen are preferred.
c Fishermen owning land or kutcha structures may also be considered for allotment of houses under the scheme.

The cost will be equally shared by the State and the Central Government.

The scheme is subdivided into three major categories:

1. Development of Model Fishermen Villages

a. Housing: The scheme is applicable to a fisherman village with a minimum of 10 houses. The area and cost of construction of a house should not exceed 35 sq. metres and Rs. 40,000/-.

b. Drinking water: According to the scheme, one tube well will be provided for every 20 households in a fishermen village. When a village consists of less than 20 houses, then also one tube well can be provided. Where a village consists of more than 10 but less than 20 houses, one tube well may be provided. The cost of installation of a tube well should not exceed Rs. 30,000/-. In case of Northeastern states up to Rs. 35,000/- will be permissible as a special case. In case tube wells are not a viable option in the area, other options may be applicable, but the state governments must meet the extra costs.

c. Community Halls/ Work Shed: A fisherman village with at least 75 houses will be eligible to seek assistance for construction of a community hall. The hall will be constructed on an area not exceeding 200 sq. metres. Two toilets and a tube well will also be provided with a community hall. The total cost of the hall should not exceed Rs. 1,75,000/-.

2. Group accident insurance for active fishermen
This component provides an insurance of up to Rs. 50,000/- (in case of death or permanent total disability) and Rs. 25,000/- (in case of partial permanent disability) for fishermen who are licensed, registered or identified by the state/UT government. The insurance cover will be for a period of 12 months and the anuual premium will not exceed Rs. 15/- per head (50% from the Central government and 50% from the state government). The fishermen (in marine and inland sectors) will not make any contributions to the premium.

3. Saving cum relief:
It is applicable to those inland states imposing a fishing ban during the monsoon season. Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

a) A person must be engaged in fishing full time. All family members must also be fully employed in fishing activities.
b) The person must be below the age of 60.
c) The person must be falling in the below poverty line category.
d) The person must be a member of a Cooperative Society/ Federation/ Welfare Society that has fishing rights in water bodies controlled by the State.

Under this category, Rs. 50/- will be collected from eligible fishermen for 9 months in a year. Thus, a total of Rs. 450/- will be collected per farmer and the state and centre each will make a 50% contributions (Rs. 225/- each). The entire amount of Rs. 900/- (450+225+225) will be distributed equally in the monsoon season over 3 months. The interest on the money will be given to the fishermen with the third installment.

Please contact the relevant department.
 

Contact

Deputy Commissioner (FF)
Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture,
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries,
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi,
Ph: 011-23070357