Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 13 October 2023
In a special initiative led by Mr. B S Jaglan, IAS Secretary Fisheries of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, efforts are underway to implement various welfare schemes of the Fisheries Department in remote and far-flung areas. This proactive approach seeks to bring about positive changes in the lives of fisherfolk by introducing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and other Union Territory (UT) schemes.
A dedicated team, consisting of the Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman, and an Assistant Engineer (Ref.), along with a Fishery Officer, visited Hutbay from October 8 to 10, 2023, as part of this initiative. During their visit, a special camp was organized in the Vegetable Market Complex of R K Pur village on October 9, which witnessed the active participation of about 100 people, including marine fishermen, fish farmers, women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), fish vendors, and unemployed youth.
Mr. Tapan Kumar Biswas, Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman, elucidated the various benefits of the schemes aimed at improving the living standards of those involved in the fisheries sector. The participants were encouraged to explore the advantages of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, such as assistance for the purchase of Two Wheelers, Three Wheelers, Ice Plants, Cold Storage facilities, Insulated Vehicles, and Refrigerated Vehicles.
The Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman, also highlighted the development of various infrastructure projects such as ice plants, cold storage units, and value addition facilities initiated by individual beneficiaries in Port Blair and North & Middle Andaman District through the PMMSY. In addition, the benefits of availing Kisan Credit Cards were explained, emphasizing their utility as startup capital for small businesses and as working capital to cover daily expenses. A representative from the State Bank of India offered insights into KCC loan benefits and the application process through the Department of Fisheries.
On October 10, the officials visited the proposed construction site of the Fish Landing Centre at V K Pur. Fishermen’s groups and the local Pradhan highlighted the challenges faced by fishermen when navigating their boats through the proposed Fish Landing Centre. To gain a firsthand perspective of the difficulties experienced during low tide, a group of fishermen, accompanied by J P Tiwari, Assistant Engineer, and the Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman, sailed through the creeks to assess the genuine issues caused by submerged rocks. The entire program was conducted under the guidance of Mr. Vikram Singh, Director of Fisheries, with the goal of enhancing the welfare of the fishing community in these remote areas.