Punjab Government has decided to cover all fish farmers in the State under a free insurance scheme for the financial year 2015-16.
In Punjab, there are 8,000 fish farmers who would benefit under this free insurance scheme. The scheme is being executed in collaboration with Fishcofed.
State Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike on Thursday said that the Central and State Governments would pay the premium under this scheme.
“During 2014-15, Punjab Government has also covered 2571 fish farmers or fish sellers under accidental insurance cover,” he said.
Divulging details, Ranike said that `two lakh compensation is provided to the dependents of deceased fish farmers or fish sellers and in case of permanent handicap, the fish farmer would be compensated with `one lakh.
He said that `10,000 is given for the hospitalisation of fish farmer, while the premium of this insurance per person per annum is `20.27 and the Punjab Government is contributing 50 per cent of this amount.