The Government of India has launched several schemes that focus on the welfare of individuals involved in fisheries. One such government scheme for fishermen is the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen, which offers financial assistance to fishermen. Want to know more about the scheme. Stay tuned!

The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance to fishermen. They can use these for constructing houses and community halls for both recreation and work purposes. Further, through the amount availed under this scheme, fishermen can install tube wells.

The main objectives that this government scheme for fishermen holds are as follows -

• Provide fishermen with basic amenities such as housing, community halls, tube well for drinking water.
• Ensure Financial And Social Securities Of Fishermen And Their Families.
• Upgrade The Standard Of Living Of Fishermen.
• Educate And Train Fishermen In Advanced Technical Technologies So That They Can Learn Scientific Ways Of Fishing.

The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen intends to provide financial assistance to the community of fishermen. However, they have to fulfil specific eligibility parameters to avail the benefits.

Read along!

The eligibility parameters vary with inland and marine fishermen. Read along!

Eligibility Criteria for Inland Fishermen

Here is a list of eligibility criteria inland fishermen must fulfil -

• Fishermen living in coastal areas and whom the respective States and Union Territories have officially licensed are eligible for this scheme.
• The age of the fishermen must be below 60 years old.
• Applicant fishermen must belong to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category.
• They must be engaged in full-time activities inland.

Now that you have learnt about the eligibility criteria of Inland fishermen for availing funds under the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen let us move to the section of eligibility parameters applicable for marine fishermen.

Eligibility Criteria for Marine Fishermen

All marine fishermen who operate under State, Union Territories and FISHCOPFED are eligible for this government scheme for fishermen. However, there are other eligibility parameters marine fishermen must fulfil. These include -

• Their respective States and Union Territories must officially license marine fishermen.
• They must involve themselves in full-time activities at sea.
• They must be a member of the Welfare Society or Federation, or Cooperative Society.

Please note that the fishermen under FISHCOPFED can avail funds available under the insurance component only.

Following is a list of required documents for the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen,

• Application in the specific format
• Photograph of the applicant with spouse (if married)
• Vessel registration certificate (duly issued by Directorate of Fisheries)
• Current net license payment receipt
• Professional cum residential certificate
• Ration card copy
• Income certificate
• Photograph

Now that individuals know about the required documents and eligibility criteria, we can focus on the application process.

The respective States and Union Territories complete the implementation of the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen.  The working and fund allocation process is as follows.

Step-1: Eligible fishermen have to visit their nearest FISHCOPFED office to apply for this Government scheme for fisheries.

Step-2: Next, the President or Secretary of Association will collect the contribution and forward it to the Nationalised bank accounts selected by the Director of Fisheries.

Step-3: Then, the State and Central Government match the fishermen’s contributions as allotted for them.

Step-4: Once this scheme reaches maturity, the authorities will return funds with the total accrued interest.

Here are the features and benefits that this government scheme for fishermen offers -

Housing Facility

The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen offers fishermen facilities for constructing houses. There is no upper limit for building homes in a particular village as it entirely depends on the number of fishermen residing. States through this scheme ensure equal distribution of houses among all fishermen. Also, this government-backed scheme dictates the house construction with a base area within 35 sq. mt. Also, the cost must not exceed ₹75,000.

Construction of Common Facility

This government-backed scheme ensures building a community hall in some instances if there are more than 75 houses in a village. This scheme will build a community hall (with two toilets and a tube well) with a base area measuring 200 sq. mt. and within ₹2 lakh.  Fishermen can use this community hall as a mending shed and a drying yard.

Assurance of Clean Drinking Water

This scheme offers a tube well for every 20 houses. Also, depending on the requirement, the number of tube wells is increased. In addition, this scheme provides an alternative option where tubewell installation is not possible.

Insurance Facility

(For Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen)- This scheme provides fisherfolk or licensed or identified or registered with the States or Union Territory ₹50,000 in case of death or permanent total disability. Also, this scheme provides ₹25,000 for partial permanent disability.

Here, the insurance cover will continue for 12 months, and FISHCOPFED would take out a policy. Also, under this scheme, the affected fishermen will have to pay an annual premium worth ₹15 (per head). Here, the Central Government will pay 50%, and the State Government will pay the remaining 50% subsidy as grants-in-aid. In the case of Union Territories, the Central Government will bear a 100% premium.

On the other hand, those States/UT’s, which subscribed to this Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen through FISHCOPFED, will get a Central share of assistance (100% premium for Union Territories) directly through FISHCOPFED and not through States/UT’s.

Saving cum relief

The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen further offers a savings cum relief scheme. This scheme component collects ₹75 from marine fishermen for 8 months in a year. Total ₹600 needs to be collected to match an equal amount worth ₹600 provided by the State and Central Government to segregate on a 50:50 basis. If any fishermen fail to make payment, the authorities will refund the paid amount with interest at the end of the 4th month. Also, the ‘lean months’ provisions vary from a coastal area or marine area, which FISHCOPFED decides entirely.

Now that individuals know about this government scheme for fishermen, i.e. the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen, they avail funds and construct houses of their own.