National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen

The National scheme of Welfare of Fishermen is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial aid to fishermen. The marine and inland fishermen can utilize the funds to construct houses and for recreational and work purposes. The funds provided can also be used for construction of drinking wells and installation of tube wells. Read on to know all about the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen in detail.

The main objectives of the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen are:

• Providing basic amenities to fishermen including drinking water, housing, community halls, etc.
• Help fishermen upgrade their standard of living
• Promote scientific ways of fishing by educating and training fishermen in advanced technical technologies

The eligibility criteria for inland and marine fisherman varies as given below

Eligibility Criteria for Inland Fishermen

• State and Union Territory license fishermen residing in coastal areas are eligible to receive benefits under the scheme
• Fishermen must be below the age of 60
• Fishermen looking to avail the scheme benefits should belong to below poverty line category
• They must be engaged in inland fishery activities on a full-time basis

Eligibility Criteria for Marine Fishermen

Marine fishermen who operate under state, union territory and are FISHCOPFED are eligible to receive coverage under this government scheme

• The marine fishermen should be licensed from the residing state and union territory
• They must be involved in full-time activities at the sea
• Fishermen should be a member of the Welfare Society or Federation, or Cooperative Society

Below is the list of documents required for registration under the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen

• Application for scheme benefits in a specified format
• Professional cum residential certificate
• Income certificate
• Photograph
• Ration card copy
• Current net license payment receipt
• Photocopy of the applicant with spouse (in case married)

Implementation of the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen has to be done by the respective state and union territory. The application process as follows:

• Fishermen can visit the nearest FISHCOPFED office
• The secretary or president of the association will collect the contribution and forward it to the Nationalized Bank Account selected by the Director of Fishery
• The state and central government then match the fishermen’s contribution as allotted to them
• On maturity of the scheme, the total amount is refunded with the total incurred interest

Housing facility

• The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen offers facilities for construction of houses. Through this scheme, the state intends to offer equal distribution of houses among all fishermen. Through this scheme, there is no upper limit on building homes in a particular village as it depends on the number of fishermen residing in the locality. The cost of construction should not exceed Rs. 75,000 and should be constructed with a base area of 35 sq.mt.

Construction of common facility

• In case there are more than 75 houses in a village, then through this scheme, a community hall can be constructed. A community hall consisting of two toilets and 1 tube well with a base area of 200 sq.mt to be constructed at a budget of Rs. 2 lakh. The constructed hall can be utilized as a mending shed and a drying yard.

Assurance of clean drinking water

• Under this scheme, the facility of constructing a tubewell for every 20 houses. The number of tubewells can be increased based on the requirement. In addition to this, the scheme also provides an alternative option in case the construction of tubewell installation is not possible.

Insurance facility

• The Group Accident Insurance scheme for active fishermen provides an insurance cover of Rs. 50,000 in case of death or permanent total disability. And Rs. 25,000 in case of partial permanent disability. The coverage is provided only to those fishermen registered, licensed or identified with States of Union Territory. The FISHCOPPED will take out the policy which would continue for 12 months. Also, under this scheme, the affected fishermen will have to pay a premium of Rs. 15 and the central government will pay 50% and remaining 50% will have to be borne by the state government as grants-in-aid. In case of Union Territories, 100% of the premium will have to be paid by the Central Government.

• Those states and union territories which have subscribed to the scheme through FISHCOPPED will be eligible to get a central share of assistance i.e. 100% of premium for Union Territories directly through FISHCOPFED and not through state/union territories.

Savings cum relief

• The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen offers a savings cum relief scheme. For 8 months in a year, Rs.75 is collected from marine fishermen. Total amount of TRs. 600 has to to be collected to match an equal amount worth Rs. 600 provided by the State and Central Government to segregate on a 50:50 basis. At the end of the 4th month, the authorities will refund the payment with interest in case the fishermen fail to make the payment.