Cabinet approves fisheries scheme for sustainable, responsible blue revolution

NEW DELHI, 21 May 2020: With a view to give a push to fisheries sector, Indian cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), prime minister fisheries scheme - a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.

The scheme has two components namely, Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) at a total estimated investment of INR 20,050 crore comprising of (i) Central share of INR 9,407 crore, (ii) State share of INR 4,880 crore and (iii) Beneficiaries' share of INR 5,763 crore. 

The Scheme will be implemented during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said in a statement.

With this scheme, the government is looking to address the critical gaps in the fisheries sector and realize its potential along with doubling of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers incomes by 2024.

The fund will also be used to augmenting fish production and productivity at a sustained average annual growth rate of about 9% to achieve a target of 22 million metric tons by 2024-25 through sustainable and responsible fishing practices.

Funds from this scheme will also used to improving availability of certified quality fish seed and feed, traceability in fish and including effective aquatic health management and creation of critical infrastructure including modernisation and strengthening of value chain.

Infrastructure creation will help in generating direct employment opportunities to about 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors and other rural/urban populations in fishing and allied activities and about thrice this number as indirect employment opportunities including enhancement of their incomes.

The PMMSY will be implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely (a) Central Sector Scheme (CS) and (b) Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and Beneficiary orientated sub­components/activities under the following three broad heads: 

a) Enhancement of Production and Productivity

b) Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management         

c) Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework 

Funding pattern

PMMSY will be implemented with the following funding pattern: 

Central Sector Scheme (CS)

a)  The entire project/unit cost will be borne by the Central government (i.e. 100 percent central funding).

b)   Wherever direct beneficiary oriented i.e. individual/group activities are undertaken by the entities of central government including National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), the central assistance will be up to 40 percent of the unit/project cost for General category and 60 percent for SC/ST/Women category. 

Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)

For the Non-beneficiary orientated sub-components/activities under CSS component to be implemented by the States/UTs, the entire project/unit cost will be shared between Centre and State as detailed below: 

a)   North Eastern & Himalayan States: 90 percent Central share and 10 percent State share.

b)   Other States: 60 percent Central share and 40 percent State share.

c)   Union Territories (with legislature and without legislature): 100 percent Central share. 

For the Beneficiary orientated i.e.  individual/group activities sub­components/activities under CSS component to be implemented by the States/UTs, the Government financial assistance of both Centre and State/UTs governments together will be limited to 40 percent of the project/unit cost for General category and 60 percent of the project/unit cost for SC/ST/Women. The Government financial assistance will in turn be shared between Centre and State/UTs in the following ratio:         

a)   The North Eastern & the Himalayan States: 90 percent Central share and 10 percent State share.

b)   Other States: 60 percent Central share and 40 percent State share.

c)  Union Territories (with legislature and without legislature): 100 percent Central share (No UT Share).