A new State Plan scheme, livelihood Support to Marine Fishermen during Fishing Ban Periods, would be operational from this financial year.
It is intended to provide financial assistance to poor marine fishermen and fish workers adversely affected due to ban on account of sea turtle protection and marine fisheries resources conservation.
The assistance would be in addition to the support available under the Saving-cum-Relief scheme of Government of India, which is inadequate. Under the scheme, the BPl fisherman in the age group of 18 and 60 years would receive `3,000 per annum during the ban period of three months, for which a fishermaen contributes `1,500 by way of depositing his contribution over a period of nine months.
The rest amount of Rs 1,500 would be shared equally by the State and Central Governments.
For the new scheme of the State Government, during the year 2016-17, 2,000 BPl families who are most vulnerable would be selected by the Director of Fisheries in the Olive Ridley turtle conservation area. The affected fishermen would each receive `5,000.00 per annum.
After assessing the success of the scheme, steps would be taken to extend it for further four years, said official sources.