Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that work has been done for economic upgradation, marriage, education, assistance besides providing insurance scheme benefits to the family members of the fishermen of the state. Smart fish parlors will be set up in local bodies in the state.

This will provide organized employment to our fishermen as well as ensure availability of different types of clean and fresh fish to the consumers. Assistance will be provided for fish-seed production and shrimp-cum-fish farming through Mukhya Mantri Matsya Vikas Yojana. Kisan Credit Cards will also be made available to fishermen at zero percent interest.

Chouhan distributed fishing kits to 400 beneficiaries and motorcycles for sale and transportation of fish to 50 beneficiaries during the Budhni Kshetra Fishermen Conference held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Thursday. In addition, 443 beneficiaries were also given letters of approval of Kisan Credit Card.

So far, one lakh 5 thousand fishermen have been given these cards in the state.

Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development and Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silavat, MP Ramakant Bhargava, Head of Salkanpur Temple Trust Mahesh Upadhyay and people of Kewat Samaj were present in a large number. Chief Minister Chouhan’s wife Sadhana Singh Chouhan was also present in the programme.

The Chief Minister said that our boatman used to travel through walking or by bus. The Kevat community also had difficulty in carrying their material. They are being given two wheelers. So far 50 beneficiaries have been benefitted under the scheme. Along with this, kit of material for fisheries and fisheries work is also being given.

An ice box has also been provided with the motorcycle. Fishing material includes nets, hooks, etc. Chouhan said that a strategy has been fixed to get the benefits of various beneficiary oriented schemes besides ensuring training and upgradation of fishermen to increase fish-seed, fish and shrimp production, providing market through effective marketing and branding, providing pond hatcheries, fish feed plants, boats and nets etc., working capital, employment and along with the arrangement of livelihood. The state government will give full cooperation in fisheries and seed production.

Chouhan said that there are many good swimmers and boat and canoe drivers in the Kewat community whose talent will be promoted. Canoe driving competition will be held in the Narmada river.

The Chief Minister said that Kaveri Dhimar, a resident of Mandi, a small village in Sehore district, did wonders by winning seven gold medals for the state in the 31st National Senior Canoe Sprint Championship held in Himachal Pradesh in October last year. I gave an incentive of Rs 11 lakh to Kaveri on March 17, 2022. Other talented players of Kewat community will also be encouraged.

Chouhan said that in the state there are fish production is continuously increasing. The growth rate of Madhya Pradesh is double than the national annual growth rate of fish production. Out of about 4.5 lakh hectare water area in the state, fish farming is being done in 99 percent area. Balaghat district has got the award of best district of the country in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Best implementation should be done in this area in other districts also.

Chouhan said that the benefit of Sambal Yojana is also being given to the beneficiaries of Kewat community. Meritorious students are getting the benefit of Nishadraj Scholarship Scheme. In addition to the prescribed assistance under the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, an additional assistance of Rs. 20 thousand is given on the marriage of the daughters of Kewat community under the Mukhya Mantri Meenakshi Vivah Yojana.

The benefit of accident insurance scheme is being given to 1.75 lakh fishermen in the state.

Fisheries Welfare and Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silavat informed about the fishermen welfare schemes of the government. He said that Chief Minister Shri Chouhan has resolved to provide credit cards to all the fishermen of the state. He has shown concern for the welfare of every section in Madhya Pradesh. Member of Parliament Shri Ramakant Bhargava said that Kewat community should pay attention to the sale of fish in big cities. The government is giving all the facilities, we have to be aware and work for economic upgradation.