KENDRAPARA: Around 11 lakh fishermen including three lakh marine fishermen have been covered under the insurance scheme in the State, said Joint Director of Fishery (Coastal), Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Pratap Chandra Rout here recently.
Under the scheme, a fisherman will get `75,000 in the event of total disability and ` two lakh for accidental death. No premium is collected from the fishermen. The Centre and State Government have been funding equal share for the scheme.
In order to avail the benefits under the scheme, fishermen have to enrol themselves at the Fisheries Cooperatives in the area concerned, Rout said.
Similarly, the department has distributed biometric identity cards to 1.54 lakh fishermen in the State so far. Focus has been given to cover all marine fishermen. "We have already enlisted more than 1.21 lakh members of fishing community for issuing identity cards. The Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) has been entrusted with the job. The biometric card covers information about a fisherman including name, age, address, birth place, qualification and land records," said Rout. The Central-sponsored scheme was launched in 2009-10.
Meanwhile, the State Government has already spent around `24 crore in providing alternative livelihood options to fishermen under Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programme. The programme covers all affected marine fishermen who are debarred from fishing in the sea at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapara district, river Rushikulya in Ganjam district and river Devi in Puri district for seven months in a year due to fishing ban clamped for protection of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
Around 600 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed among the community and financial assistance extended for their livelihood, he added.
Welfare Measures
Under insurance scheme, a fisherman will get `75,000 in the event of total disability and ` two lakh for accidental death
The department has distributed biometric identity cards to 1.54 lakh fishermen in the State so far
State Govt has already spent around `24 crore in providing alternative livelihood options to fishermen under ICZM