National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen

Introduction:

The Centrally Sponsored ‘National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen’ envisaging to provide financial assistance to fishers for construction of house, community hall for recreation and common working place and installation of tube-wells for drinking water and assistance during lean period through saving cum relief component was in operation till the terminal year of the 9th Plan. This welfare scheme has been continued during the 10th Plan. The Plan Outlay approved for the scheme for the entire period of the 10th Plan is Rs 120 crore.

Components of the schemes:The scheme is operated as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UT’s/FISHCOPFED (Insurance component only) and has the following three broad components:- 

Development of Model Fishermen Villages. 

Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen and 

Saving-cum-Relief. 

Explanation & Mode of Operation: 

Development of Model Fishermen Villages: Under this component, the eligible fishermen in inland and marine sector would be provided with basic civic amenities like houses, drinking water and commonplace for recreation and work. The respective States/UT’s shall provide land for development of these amenities. The States should keep the following criteria in view while selecting beneficiaries for allotment of houses under the scheme:- 

The beneficiary should be an active fisherman identified by the State Government. 

Preference should be given to fishermen below poverty line and to landless fishermen.

 

Fishermen owning land or kutcha structure may also be considered for allotment of houses under the scheme. 

Cost of the development would be shared equally by the Central Government and State Governments subject to the conditions indicated below. In case of Union Territories, the entire expenditure shall be borne by the Government of India. 

Housing: A Fishermen Village may consist of not less than 10 houses. There is no upper limit for the number of houses to be constructed in a village, which would depend on the number of eligible fishermen in that village. However, the State Governments may ensure equitable distribution of houses among all villages in proportion to the number of eligible fishermen, as far as possible. The plinth area and cost of construction of a house would be limited to 35 Sq. mts. And Rs 40,000/- respectively. The ceiling on land and cost of construction indicate the upper limit. The State Government may plan and ensure optimizing the use of available resources so that more number of houses could be built within the budgeted amount. 

Drinking Water: A fishermen village would be provided with one tubewell for every 20 houses. Where a village consists of only 10 houses or more but less than 20 houses, one tubewell may be provided for such a village. The cost of installation of a tubewell should not exceed Rs 30,000/-. However, for North-Eastern states the cost of installation of a tubewell up to Rs 35,000/- would be permissible as a special case for which the State Government should furnish adequate justification. The actual number of tubewells to be installed in a village may be rationalized on the basis of actual water requirement of the inhabitant families and the capacity of the tubewells. 

A fishermen village may be provided with alternative source of drinking water supply in case tubewells are not a practical proposition, provided the additional expenditure, over and above what would otherwise be admissible if tubewells were to be provided on the basis of number of houses for which the facility is intended, is met entirely by the State Government. 

Community Halls/Work Shed: As a recreation and common working place, a fishermen village with at least 75 houses will be eligible to seek assistance for construction of a community hall if found necessary. The hall will be constructed on an area not exceeding 200 sq. mts. Two toilets and a tubewell will also be provided with a community hall. The total cost of the hall should not exceed Rs1,75,000/-. The State/UT’s should ensure optimum utilization of the community hall by permitting its utilization as a drying yard and also as mending shed. If required, construction of walls for the community hall may be dispensed with so that it may be a structure with pillars and roofs to permit its optimum utilization as a common working place for fishermen. 

Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen: Under this component, fisherfolk/licensed/identified or registered with the State/UT Governments would be insured for Rs 50,000/- against death or permanent total disability and Rs 25,000/- for partial permanent disability. The insurance cover will be for a period of 12 months and a policy would be taken out by FISHCOPFED in respect of all the participating States/ UT’s. The annual premium payable would not exceed Rs 15/- per head – 50% of which will be subsidized as grants-in-aid by the Centre and the remaining 50% by the State Government. In the case of Union Territories, 100% premium will be borne by the Central Government.

In case of those States/UT’s, which subscribed to this component through FISHCOPFED the Central share of the assistance (100% premium in case of UT’s) would be released directly to FISHCOPFED and will not be routed, through States/UT’s. The State Governments should, however, ensure that their share of premium is sent to FISHCOPFED well before the due date of renewal of the policy. In case of those States/UT’s who do not subscribe to this component through FISHCOPFED, the release of Central share would be restricted on the basis of annual premium that would be payable had the insurance been taken through FISHCOPFED or the actual premium, whichever is less. No contribution will be collected from the fishermen. The scheme would cover fishermen in both marine and inland sectors. FISHCOPFED will be the executing agency and would operate the Scheme through any subsidiary of General Insurance Corporation of India in case of States/UT’s, which opt to subscribe to the Scheme through FISHCOPFED. 

Saving-cum-Relief: 

Mode of implementation for marine fishermen: Under this component Rs 75/- per month shall be collected from eligible marine fishermen for a period of 8 months in a year. A total of Rs 600/- thus collected will be matched with 50% contribution i.e. Rs 300/-, each by the State Government and Central Government separately. In respect of Union Territories, the share of Union Territory Administration would also be borne by the Government of India. The total sum of Rs 1200/- thus collected will be distributed during the four lean months (closed season) to the beneficiaries in four equal monthly installments of Rs 300/- each. The interest accrued will also be disbursed with the fourth installment.

For purpose of this component, an eligible marine fisherman means a person who is professionally engaged in full time fishing in sea, is member of Cooperative Society/Federation/Welfare Society, lives below poverty line, does not own mechanized fishing boat/beach landing craft and is below 60 years of age. If any member of a fishermen family has regular employment or indulges in any other income generating activity, such family will not qualify to be beneficiary under this component.

The President/Secretary of the Association shall collect the beneficiary contribution and entrust the same to an official of the State/UT Administration who shall deposit the fund every month in a nationalized bank in the name of Director of Fisheries of the respective State/UT’s. The Director of Fisheries will draw the money during the lean season and distribute it to the beneficiaries adding Centre and State contribution in equal installments not ordinarily exceeding four. The States/UT’s should ensure that under no circumstances collection of the beneficiary contribution is made in lump-sum and also that the money is not distributed to the fishermen in lump-sum.

If a marine fishermen defaults in paying his contribution during the non-lean months, the Government’s (both State and Centre) matching grant will be limited to the number of months for which he has actually subscribed and will be refunded to the fishermen in equal installments during the lean months. The interest accrued will also be disbursed with the 4th installment.

However, a default by any beneficiary in payment of monthly contribution, not exceeding beyond one month and twice during the fishing season, may be waived provided the amount is paid by the beneficiary with a default fee which is equal to the interest that would have otherwise accrued, had the contribution been paid on the due date(s).

Lean months in different parts of the coast vary according to climatic conditions and monsoon weather. Therefore, Director of Fisheries of the respective maritime states/UT’s will have the discretion, based on the climatic changes and other valid reasons to decide which are the lean months in a year. However, the number of lean months will be limited to four. 

Mode of implementation for inland fishermen: This component would be applicable to only those inland States, which impose a ban on fishing during the monsoon period either through legislation or through adequate administrative measures including deployment of extension workers to educate the inland fishermen, etc. Under this component Rs 50/- per month shall be collected from each eligible inland fisherman for a period of 9 months in a year. A total of Rs 450/- thus collected will be matched with 50% contribution i.e. Rs 225/- each by the State and Central Governments separately. In respect of Union Territories, the share of Union Territory Administration would also be borne by the Government of India. The total sum of Rs 900/- thus collected will be distributed during the three lean months (closed season) to the beneficiaries in three equal monthly installments of Rs 300/- each. The interest accrued will also be disbursed with the third installment.

For the purpose of this component, an eligible inland fishermen mean a person who is professionally engaged in full time fishing in the inland waters, is below 60 years of age and lives below poverty line. Further, he should be a member of Cooperative Society/Federation/Welfare Society that has fishing rights in water bodies controlled by the State. If any member of fishermen family has regular employment or indulges in any other income generating activity, such family will not qualify to be beneficiary under this component.

he President/Secretary of the Association shall collect the beneficiary contribution and entrust the same to an official of the State/UT Administration who shall deposit the fund every month in nationalized bank in the name of Director of Fisheries will draw the money during the lean season and distribute to the beneficiaries adding Centre and State contribution in equal installments not ordinarily exceeding three. The States/UT’s should ensure that under no circumstances collection of the beneficiary contribution is made in a lump sum and also that the money is not distributed to the fishermen in lump sum.

If an inland fishermen defaults in paying his contribution during the non-lean months, the Government’s (both State and Centre) matching grant will be limited to the number of months for which he has actually subscribed and will be refunded to the fishermen in equal installments during the lean months. The interest accrued will be disbursed with the 3rd installment.

However, a default by any beneficiary in payment of monthly contribution, not exceeding beyond one month and twice during the fishing season, may be waived provided the amount is paid by the beneficiary with a default fee which is equal to the interest that would have otherwise accrued, had the contribution been paid on the due date(s).

The State Governments/UT’s has to send their proposals for the various components of the Welfare Scheme complete in all respects in the prescribed format for submission of proposals seeking central assistance ANNEXURE II. The proposals must be accompanied by detailed progress reports of the projects sanctioned in the preceding years and reasons for the shortfalls, if any, etc. The progress report has to be furnished in the prescribed formats already circulated. The availability of budgetary provision in the State budget for each component should be specifically indicated in the proposals.