Odisha Plans Scheme For Fishermen

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government plans to introduce a scheme to provide financial assistance to fishermen during the fishing ban period to support their livelihood.

The government is planning to implement the scheme during the fishing ban, said sources in the fisheries and animal resources development department.

Notably, the government imposes a fishing ban for sea turtle conservation.

“The state government intends to provide adequate financial assistance to poor fishermen and fish workers. They are adversely affected by the ban aimed at sea turtle protection and marine fisheries resources conservation,” said the sources.

“This will strengthen the livelihood of the fisherman and fish workers facing a ban of eight months,” an official said.

As many as 16,000 families of fishermen will avail livelihood support during this ban period every year. The scheme will be implemented in all coastal districts of the state.

The duration of the scheme will be two years from 2016-17 to 2017-18. It is likely to be continued in the coming years. The government has proposed a budget provision of Rs 16 crore for the first two years while Rs 8 crore will be set aside for the 2016-17 fiscal, sources said.

The state government will bear the expenses under the state plan, they said.