Benefit of fishermen’s welfare schemes is being extended to 1.75 lakh fishermen in Madhya Pradesh. In the first 4 months of the current fiscal till July, around 7,126 fishermen have got benefit of accident insurance, which is 259 per cent more than last year in the corresponding period. Presently, a target has been set to extend benefit of the scheme to 15,000 fishermen. Savings-cum-relief scheme for fishermen has also risen by 229 per cent. As many as 1414 got the benefit of Janshree Bima Yojana in the first 4 months compared to 546 fishermen in last year. Achievement under Jaldeep Yojana also stood at 389 per cent.
In the first 4 months, 171 children of fishermen have benefited from education incentive scheme compared to 127 children during corresponding period last year. Till July, 167 fishermen have got benefit of fishermen’s incentive award compared to 123 fishermen last year. Till date this year, grant for treatment of serious diseases has been extended to 5 fishermen.
The state government has also enhanced wages of fishermen. In year, 2012-13, fisheries cooperative societies were paid Rs 11.20 crore against which Rs 16.15 crore has been paid during year 2013-14. This is 44.24 per cent more. A sum of Rs2.36 crore was paid to fishermen under livelihood Cooperation Scheme in year 2012-13, which has risen by 144.72 per cent now.
Fish production is also increasing constantly in Madhya Pradesh. Till July this year, 30 percent more production has been made as compared to first 4 months of corresponding year. Fisheries Federation’s reservoirs had produced 1207 MT fish while 1569 MT fish has been produced during first 4 months of the current fiscal. After lifting of ban of fishing on October 15, fish production will rise further.
Though production of span has been affected due to delayed rainfall this year, but production of standard fry has increased. last year, production of standard fry was 3 lakh which has increased to 8.74 lakh this year. As much as 2.95 lakh fish seeds were produced last year as compared to 308.09 lakh till July this year.