Assam Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium

1. Scheme on “Strengthening of Data base and information Net working for the Fishery Sector "

The scheme will consist of component on catch assessment. Surveys for estimation of Inland Fish Production, Information Networking, Geographical Information system, Inland fisheries Census, Strengthening of Head Quarter at centre, the component will be implemented as per the details given below :-

(i) Catch Assessment Survey on Inland Fisheries: The component is entrusted to Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR), Barrackpore, West Bengal, who will be responsible for standardization of concepts, definition and methodology for collecting Fisheries statistics and training of staff concerned therewith.

(ii) Information Net Working : Under the component on Information Technology a provision has been made for procurement of equipment to the State / UT / CIFRI / DHA&D Head Quarter / Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai as detail indicated below :

(a) One low end Server with two client along with other equipment for the state.

(iii) Census on Inland Fisheries : This component on conduct of census on Inland fisheries. The state Government is engaging enumerator on contact basis for collection of data from field and data entry. The software will be developed by CIFRI for data entry and processing.

2. National Scheme of Welfare of Fisherman in State / UT’s during the year 2004-05.

1. The scheme will be operated as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and will have the following three components :

2. The total outlay for the Scheme mentioned in Para-I above will be Rs. 25.00 crore (Rupees twenty five crore only) for the year 2004-05.

Under this component, the eligible fishermen in inland and marine sector would be provided with basic civic amenities like houses, drinking water and common place for recreation and work. The respective States / UTs shall provide land for development of these amenities. The States should keep the following criteria in view while selecting beneficiaries for allotment of houses under the scheme :

(i) The beneficiary should be an active fisherman identified by the State Government.

(ii) Preference should be given to fishermen below poverty line and to land less fishermen;

(iii) Fishermen owning land or kutcha structure may also be considered for allotment of house the scheme.

Cost of the development would be shared equally be the Central Government and State Government subject to the condition indicated below. In case of Union Territories, the entire expenditure shall be borne by the Government of India.

A Fishermen Village my consist of not less than 10 houses. There is no upper limit for the number of houses to be constructed in a village, which would depend on the number of eligible fishermen in that village. However, State should ensure equitable distribution of houses among all villages in proportion to the number of eligible fishermen, as far as possible. The plinth area and cost of construction of a house would be limited to 35 Sq. mts. and Rs. 40,000/- respectively. The ceiling on land and cost of construction indicate the upper limit. The State Government may plan and ensure optimizing the use of available resources so that more number of houses could be built within the budgeted amount.

A fishermen village would be provided with one tube well for every 20 houses. Where a village consists of only 10 houses or more but less than 20 houses, one tube well may be provided for such a village. The cost of installation of a tube well should not exceed Rs. 30,000/-. However for North Eastern States the cost of installation of a tube well up to Rs. 35,000/- would be permissible as a special case for which the State Government should furnish adequate justification. The actual number of tube wells to be installed in a village may be rationalized on the basis of actual water requirement of the inhabitant families and the capacity of the tube wells.

A Fishermen village may be provided with alternatives source of drinking water supply in case tube wells are not a practical proposition, provided the additional expenditure, over and above what would otherwise be admissible if tube well were to be provided on the basis of number of houses for which the facility in intended, is met entirely by the State Government.

As a recreation and common working place, a fishermen village with at least 75 houses will be eligible to seek assistance for construction of a community hall if found necessary. The hall will be constructed on an area not exceeding 200 Sq. mts. Two toilets – one for gents and one for ladies and a tube well will also be provided with a community hall. The total cost of the hall should not exceed Rs. 1,75,000/-. The State / UT’s should ensure optimum utilization of the community hall by permitting its utilization as a drying yard and also as mending shed. If required, construction of walls for the community hall may be dispensed with so that if may be a structure with pillars and roofs to permit its optimum utilization as a common working place for fishermen.

Under this component, fisher folk / licensed / identified or registered with the State /UT Government would be insured for Rs. 50,000/- against death or permanent total disability and Rs. 25,000/- for partial permanent disability. The insurance cover will be for a period of 12 months and a policy would be taken out by FISHCOPFED in respect of all the participating States / UTs. The annual premium payable would not exceed Rs. 15/- per head 50% of which will be subsidized as grants-in-aid by the Centre and the remaining 50% by the State Government. In the case of Union Territories, 100% premium will be borne by the Central Government.

In case of those States / UT’s which subscribed to this component through FISHCOPFED the Central share of the assistance (100% premium in case of UT’s) would be released directly to FISHCOPFED and will not be routed, through States / UT’s. The State Governments should however, ensure that their share of premium in sent to FISHCOPFED well before the due date of renewal of the policy. In case of those States / UT’s who do not subscribe to this component through FISHCOPFED, the release of Central share would be restricted on the basis of annual premium that would be payable had the insurance been taken through FISHCOPFED or the actual premium, whichever is less. No contribution will be collected from the fishermen. The scheme would cover fishermen in both marine and inland sectors. FISHCOPFED will be the executing agency and would operate the Scheme through any subsidiary of General Insurance Corporation of India in case of States / UT’s which opt to subscribe to the Scheme through FISHCOPFED.

Lean months in different parts of the coast vary according to climatic conditions and monsoon weather. Therefore, Director of Fisheries of the respective States / UT’s will have the discretion, based on the climatic changes and other valid reasons to decide which are the lean months in a year. However, lean months will be limited to only 4 month.

This component would be applicable to only those inland States, which inland States, which impose a ban on fishing during the monsoon period either through legislation or through adequate administrative measures including deployment of extension workers to educate the inland fishermen etc. Under this component Rs. 50/- per month shall be collected from each eligible inland fisherman for a period of 9 months in a year. A total of Rs. 450/- thus collected will be matched with 50% contribution i.e. Rs. 225/- each by the State and Central Governments separately. In respect of Union, Territories, the share of Union Territory Administration would also be borne by the Government of India. The total sum of Rs. 900/- thus collected will be distributed during the three lean months (closed season) to the beneficiaries in three equal monthly installments of Rs. 300/- each. The interest accrued will also be disbursed with the third installment.

For the purpose of this component, an eligible inland fishermen mean a person who is professionally engaged in full time fishing in the inland waters, is below 60 years of age and lives below poverty line. Further he should be a member of Cooperative Society / Federation / Welfare Society that has fishing rights in water bodies controlled by the State. If any member of fishermen family has regular employment or indulges in any other income generating activity, such family will not quality to be beneficiary under this component.

The President / Secretary of the Association shall collect the beneficiary contribution and entrust the same to an official of the State /UT Administration who shall deposit the fund every month in Nationalized Bank in the name of Director of Fisheries will draw the money during the lean season and distribute to the beneficiaries adding Centre and State contribution in equal installments not ordinarily exceeding three. The States/ UT’s should ensure that under no circumstances collection of the beneficiary contribution is made in a lump-sum and also that the money is not distributed to the fishermen in lump sum.

If an inland fishermen defaults in paying his contribution during the non lean months, the Government’s (both State and Centre) matching grant will be limited to the number of months for which he has actually subscribed and will be refunded to the fishermen in equal installments during the lean month. The interest accrued will be disbursed with the 3^rd installment.

However a default by any beneficiary in payment of monthly contribution, not exceeding beyond one month and twice during the fishing season, may be waived provided the amount is paid by the beneficiary with a default fee which is equal to the interest that would have otherwise accrued, had the contribution been paid on the due date (s).

4. The State Governments / UT’s are requested to send their proposals for the various components of the Welfare Scheme complete in all respect, immediately in the prescribed format enclosed for submission of proposals seeking Central Assistance. The proposals must be accompanied by detailed progress reports of the projects sanctioned in the proceeding years and reasons for the shortfalls, if any, etc. The progress reports may please be furnished in the prescribed formats already circulated. The availability of budgetary provision in the State Budget for each component should be specifically indicated in the proposals.

5. Proposals would be examined on the basis of first cum first serve, funds allotted and utilized in the proceeding years and actual availability of funds in the current financial year to implement the scheme.

6. No request for an ex-post facto approval of any proposal would be entertained.

7. This has approval of the competent authority and concurrence of Finance Division vide :their I.D. No.100/FA/2004 dated 15/04/2004

Certified that proposed beneficiaries in the proposal are active fishermen. Out of them, ________ belong to BPL Category, _________ are owning land or kutcha structures and for the rest of the fishermen of State Government / UT Administration will provide the land for development of these amenities. State Government has adequate provision in its Budget to provide matching share during the current financial year. Utilization Certificate / Physical progress report of Central assistance received for housing, community halls and drinking water amenities (Rs._______ lakh) till ____________ has been furnished (Copy enclosed) / pending for Rs. _____ sanctioned by the Government of India pertaining to the year _________ & there is no unspent balance. Year wise break up of unspent balance of previous year (s) is given in the enclosed Annexure.

(i) The beneficiary has to contribute Rs. 75/- per month for 8 months and equivalent amount i.e. Rs. 600/- is provided equally by the Central by the Central & State Government.

(ii) In case of UT, Govt’s share is provide by Central Government only (No contribution from UT)

(i) Against contribution of Rs. 50 per month for 9 months equivalent amount i.e. Rs. 450/- is equally shared by the Central and State Government.

State of _________________ has a ban on fishing during the monsoon period for _________ months through a legislative or administered measures (copy enclosed)

Inland fisher folk covered there under are professionally engaged in full time fishing in the inland water, below 60 years of age and belong to BPL category.

They are member of the cooperative Society/Federation/ Welfare society having fishing rights in water bodies controlled by the states.

Beneficiary contribution has been collected as per guidelines of the scheme and no lump sum contribution received.

Adequate budget provision has been made in the state budget during the current financial year to provide matching share.

Central assistance received for this component till last year ____________ has been disbursed to the beneficiaries and the utilisation certificate furnished/pending for Rs.______ pertaining to the year _____.

Year wise break up of unspent balance of previous year (S), if any in the format i.e. year, amount received (GOI), amount utilised, matching share released by the state Government and unspent balance as on 1st April of the respective financial year etc. is enclosed.

Sl. No.	Description of Item	Rate
1.	Construction of New ponds	Rs 2.00lakh per/ha in the plain areas. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 40,000 / ha for all farmers except SCs/STs for whom it will be Rs 50,000/- Per /ha (25%) Rs 3.00lakh per/ ha in the Hill States / Districts and North-Eastern Region. Subsidy @ 20 with a ceiling of Rs 6,000 / ha
2	Reclamation / Renovation of Ponds and Tanks	Rs 60,000 / ha subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 12,000 / ha for all farmers except SCs/STs for whom it will be Rs 15,000/- per / ha (25%).
3	Cost of Inputs	(a) Finfish culture- Rs 30,000/- per /ha subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 6,000 / ha for all farmers except SCs/STs for whom it will be Rs 7,500 / ha (25%) (b) Freshwater prawn culture:- Unit cost of Rs 1.20 lakh / ha. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 24,000 / ha.
4	Running Water fish culture in hilly areas as well as in plain areas	Rs 20,000 unit of 100sq. meter. The above cost is inclusive of Rs 4,000 towards inputs. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 4,000 unit for all farmers except SCs/STs for whom it will be Rs 5,000/- unit (25%). Ceiling of 3 units for each farmer in terms of admissibility of grant.
5	Integrated Fish Farming	Rs 80,000/ ha. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 16,000/ ha for all farmers except SCs/STs for whom it will be Rs 20,000/ ha (25%).
6	Aerators / Pumps	Rs 50,000 / unit of two 1hp aerator / one 5hp diesel pump. Subsidy @ 25% of ceiling of Rs 12,500 / for each set of aerator / pump for all categories of farmers who have reached a level of production of 3000 kg / ha / year. Maximum of two 1hp aerator / one 5hp diesel pump for one hectare water area will be admissible.
7	Fresh Water Fish Seed Hatchery	Rs 8.00lakh for a fish seed hatchery with 10 million (fry) capacity for the plain areas and Rs 12.00lakh for same capacity in the hill State / District and NE Region. Rs 2.00 lakh per/ha in the plain areas. Subsidy @ 10% with a ceiling of Rs 80,000 / ha and 1.20 lakhs in the plain and hilly areas respectively to entrepreneurs only.
8	Fish Feed Unit	Small Unit – Unit cost is Rs 5.00 lakh with a capacity of 1.20 quintals / day. The subsidy would be @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 1.00 lakh per unit to entrepreneurs.
9	Training of fish farmers	Stipend @ Rs 100/- per day during training period of ten days and a lump sum of Rs. 100/- towards travel expenses/field visit.
10	Establishment of fresh water prawn seed hatchery	i.Unit cost is Rs. 30.00 lakhs for a large fresh water prawn hatchery with a minimum capacity of 25 million PL/ Year. This would be one time grant to the States for establishment of hatchery at State level. ii. Unit cost is Rs. 8.00 lakhs for a small hatchery of 5-10 million PL/Year capacity. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs. 1.60 lakhs to entrepreneurs as one time grants.
11	Establishment of laboratories at State level for water quality and fish health investigations	Unit cost is Rs. 30.00 lakhs (25.00 lakhs for the construction of building an Rs. 5.00 lakhs for equipment, glassware and chemical etc.) This would be one time grants to the State.Operational and other recurring cost would be met by the respective State.
12	Provision of Soil and water testing kits to each FFDA	Unit cost of each soil and water testing kit is Rs.30,000/-.The kits are sanctioned once to each FFDA as one time grants.
13	Setting of integrated units, including hatcheries for ornamental fishes	Unit cost is Rs. 15.00 lakhs which includes hatchery of 5-10 million (Fry Capacity).Subsidy @ 10% with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 1.50 lakhs to all categories of fish farmers.
14	Transportation of fish/Prawn Seed	This will be applicable only for the hill State/Districts and NE Region. Subsidy @ Rs.20/- for 1000 fry transported to all FFDAs. Not applicable to individual fish farmer.
15	Purchase of Vehicle	50% cost of vehicle for each new FFDA and 50% cost for the replaced vehicle(Second vehicle).

- Expenditure on all items above except purchase of vehicle (item 15) will be shared on 75:25 basis between Government of India and States.
- The above assistance under FEDA programme is available only once to a beneficiary.
- Subsidy for the construction of new ponds and tanks, reclamation/ renovation of ponds/ tanks and first year inputs to an individual beneficiary up to 5 ha is available with or without institutional finance in the plain areas and 1.0 ha in the hill states/ districts on pro data basis.

Expenditure on all the above items except sl. No.8 (purchase of vehicle) to be shared on 75:25 basis by the Centre and States.

Expenditure on all the above items will be shared on 75:25 basis by the Centre and States