More than 1 lakh AP fishermen to get Rs 10,000 subsidy

Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh fishermen will get '10,000 on May 6 under ‘YSR Matsyakara Bharosa’ Scheme. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the scheme to benefit fishermen during the off-season as there is a ban on fishing in the wake of Covid-19 lockdown.

The government stated that the amount will be credited into the bank accounts of almost 1,32,332 fishermen in the state on Wednesday. Earlier, these fishermen were provided with '4,000. The amount was raised to '10,000 for all sea-going fishermen between the age group of 21-60 years and operating motorized or non-motorized boats.

Last year, on November 21, which is celebrated as World Fishermen Day, the AP government offered financial aid to the fishermen.

The AP government stated that fishermen who were availing benefits like Rythu Bharosa and disability benefits schemes cannot avail the benefits of Matsyakara Bharosa.

As per the directions of the Government of India, during this season, fishing activities are not allowed in the Bay of Bengal because of a rough climate. Only traditional non-motorized fishing raft is allowed in the territorial waters of Andhra Pradesh. Hence , there is complete ban on fishing and to help fishermen during this time, monetary benefits were provided by the government.

Apart from this, the AP government has raised compensation amount from '5 lakh to '10 lakh for the families of fishermen who died due to adverse conditions in the sea.

The credit of this amount into the accounts of fishermen will be the fulfilment of yet another promise made by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The government has also increased subsidy on diesel per litre from '6.03 to '9.

Meanwhile, around 4,300 fishermen who went fishing in Gujarat were stranded there due to

Covid-19 lockdown. The AP government brought all of them back, barring the transport cost and paid the returnees '2,000 as financial assistance.