The State Government on Thursday introduced an innovative scheme to provide latest information to the fishermen through telephonic messages. An MoU has been signed between the State Government and IFFCO Kissan Sanchar limited (IKSl) to this effect. According to the MoU, four lakh of the 12 lakh fishermen in the State will be covered under the scheme in the first phase in the coming four years at an estimated cost of Rs 18.40 crore.
The MoU was signed between IKSl CEO S Srinivasan and Director of Fisheries P Krishna Mohan in the presence of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Debi Mishra at the State Secretariat. Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary Bishnu Sethi and senior officials of the department were present.
As per the agreement, IKSl would provide latest information to fishermen on weather, potential fishing zones, fish conservation and cultivation. At least five free voice messages in Odia will be sent to both inland and marine fishermen through mobile phones.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said one lakh fishermen across the State would be provided with a green SIM card free of cost to receive the messages with headings like Weather alerts, Tsunami alerts and Cyclone Alerts during first year. it will save life and properties, the Minister said.
He said that the MoU was signed for one year only and, if the agency is found satisfactory, it would be extended further. As per the provision, the partnering agency IKSl would recharge the SIM regularly. The fishermen are not required to pay any additional cost towards services offered by the agency.
But the fishermen will pay for their normal communication needs exceeding the proposed amount of talk time for their personal use as per the prevailing tariffs of service provider.