National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen

About:

The Centrally Sponsored ‘National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen’ provides financial assistance to fishersfor the construction of house among other things.
This Scheme is a component of the Scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’.

The 3 components of the ‘National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen’ are,
Development of Model Fishermen Villages – Construction of house, community hall for recreation and common working place and installation of tube-wells for drinking water,
Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen and Assistance during lean period through Saving-cum-Relief.

The scheme is operated through States/ UT’s/ FISHCOPFED (Insurance component only).
For Housing, 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 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.

The States should keep the following criteria in view while selecting beneficiaries for allotment of houses under the scheme,

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.

Source: THE HINDU.