PANJIM: With major focus on the weaker section of the fishermen community, the State government has introduced a special welfare scheme, wherein the fisherman would be provided with basic facilities like houses, drinking water and commonplace for recreation and work. The landless fishermen would be provided with required land for construction of house.
State government has notified, centrally sponsored ‘Development of Model Fishermen Village’ (housing), scheme that envisages to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 75,000 to fishermen for construction of house, community hall for recreation and common working place and installation of tube-wells for drinking water and assistance during lean period through saving cum relief component.
“This is a centrally sponsored scheme on 50:50 bases. Under this scheme the eligible fishermen would be provided with basic civic amenities like housing, drinking water and a common place for recreation,” Director of Fisheries Dr Shamila Monteiro said.
She said that as regards the allotment of houses, it is ensured that the beneficiary is an active fisherman and that preference would be given to the landless fishermen below poverty line.
The director clarified that the land on which house is to be constructed shall belong to the applicant or any inmate of his family or No Objection Certificate (NOC) of the landlord in case the applicant does not own the land. “In case of landless fishermen, government will provide the land for construction of house,” she added.
In yet another decision, the Central government has also announced a financial relief of Rs 2700 (900 per month) during the three month long fishing ban period. As per the ‘saving cum relief’ scheme, the fisherman has to contribute Rs 900 with the fisheries department over a period of nine months.
“Contribution of Rs 1800 will be made by the Centre and the States in 50:50 bases. Thus the total contribution of Rs 2700 will be distributed to the fishermen in 3 equal monthly instalments of Rs 900 each,” Monteiro said.
