SRINAGAR: The Union Government on Tuesday said it is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total investment of Rs 20,990.79 crore to modernise India’s fisheries sector, while extending accident insurance and institutional credit support to fishers and fish farmers across the country.
The details were shared by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
The Minister said PMMSY, launched in 2020-21, is being implemented in all states and Union Territories to strengthen fisheries infrastructure, improve fish production, enhance fishers’ incomes and provide social security to fishing communities.
A key component of the scheme is the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme (GAIS), which provides financial protection to marine and inland fishers as well as allied fish workers.
Under the insurance scheme, beneficiaries are entitled to Rs 5 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability arising from an accident. The scheme also provides Rs 2.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and covers hospitalisation expenses up to Rs 25,000 in case of accidental injuries.
The Centre said the insurance premium is jointly financed by the Union and state governments. For most states, the cost is shared in a 60:40 ratio, while the Centre bears 90 per cent of the premium for Himalayan and North Eastern states. In the case of Union Territories, the entire premium is paid by the Central Government.
Apart from insurance, the Government highlighted its efforts to improve access to institutional finance for the fisheries sector.
It informed Parliament that the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers since 2018-19, enabling them to meet working capital requirements through easier access to formal credit.
The parliamentary reply was made in response to questions on targeted insurance and credit support for small-scale and marginal fishermen, as well as infrastructure development under PMMSY.
The Government said PMMSY continues to serve as the flagship programme for fisheries development, combining investments in infrastructure with measures aimed at improving financial security and institutional credit access for fishers across the country.
