Compensation for fishermen during fishing ban period yet to reach many

Mangaluru: Nearly 50% of fishermen entitled to compensation during the fishing ban period under the central and state governments have yet to receive their payments.

Under the ‘Blue Revolution’, the ‘Fishermen’s Savings and Relief’ program provides financial assistance to coastal fishermen during the fishing ban period. Out of 22,158 beneficiaries in the state (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada) for 2022-23, only 12,053 have received their compensation. In the previous years, many beneficiaries also did not receive their due compensation.

During the fishing ban period, fishermen have no income for sustenance, causing some laborers to struggle daily. Despite the government’s initiative to support them, delays in receiving the money have led to dissatisfaction among the fishermen.

Reasons for Non-Receipt

Some beneficiaries did not link their bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers, resulting in non-receipt of funds despite paying their contributions, according to officials. Additionally, delays in the release of central and state government funds have prevented complete compensation distribution.

Refund of Contributions

Taking this issue seriously, the department has instructed officials to ensure the linking of bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers for beneficiaries who paid their contributions but did not receive funds from 2020-21 onwards. The department directors have also directed the refund of contributions paid under the PMMSY scheme since 2020-21.

Suspension of Blue Revolution Scheme

The ‘Blue Revolution’ scheme ended in 2019-20, and since 2020-21, financial assistance has been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme. The central government has informed that no funds will be released for 2019-20. The department has been instructed to inform beneficiaries and fishermen’s cooperative societies about the scheme’s termination and not to make further requests for fund release.

Details of the Scheme

Under the ‘Fishermen’s Savings and Relief’ scheme, Rs 1,500 is collected from coastal fishermen, to which the central government adds Rs 1,500, and the state government adds Rs 1,500, totaling Rs 4,500. This amount is distributed to fishermen in installments of Rs 1,500 per month over three months during the fishing ban. The state government has decided to increase its contribution from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000.

Expected Payments

“The government is aware of the pending payments under the scheme due to issues with Aadhaar linking and previous dues. The report on the pending payments has been submitted to the government, and the remaining payments are expected to be made,” said Dileep Kumar, Deputy Director, Fisheries Department

Translated from a Kannada article by Dinesh Ira