Fisheries fast growing sector in Bangaru Telangana

Fisheries are one of the fast growing sectors contributing to GSDP of the State as well as generating income and employment. The sector aims at exploitation of all the possible resources under capture and culture fishery base for increasing fish production and productivity through sustainable development. The sector is contributing considerably to food security, nutrition and health, livelihood security to the rural population, and welfare of fishers.

Objectives:

• Holistic development of the sector, with focus on enhancement of productivity and production
• Self-sufficiency in fish seed demand
• Supply of fish at an affordable price in hygienic condition and
• Render welfare schemes to fishers.

Fish and Prawn Production:

During 2015-16, up to November 2015, 1.71 Lakh tonnes of fish and prawn is produced in Telangana as against the target of 3.20 Lakh tonnes. The details for last seven years are furnished below:

Fish and Prawn Production (Tonnes)

Year	Freshwater Fish Production	Freshwater Prawn Production	Total
2006-07	604311	2221	606532
2007-08	688301	2296	690597
2008-09	149049	2242	151291
2009-10	133613	2008	135621
2010-11	133587	2206	135793
2011-12	196708	3774	200482
2012-13	214591	5037	219628
2013-14	243037	6596	249633
2014-15	260010	8352	268362
2015-16 upto November, 2015	167354	4443	171797

Resources
Description	No.	Water Spread Area (in Lakh Ha.)
Reservoirs
Large > 5000 ha	8	1.35
Medium 1000-5000 Ha	17	0.28
Small < 1000 ha	53	0.22
Total	78	1.85
Tanks
Perennial	438	0.38
Long Seasonal	3212	1.20
Short Seasonal Tanks	31381	2.43
Total	35031	4.01
Aqua culture ponds	474	781 (Ha.)
Rivers and canal		5573 Kms

Important Programmes/Schemes:

Registration of Fresh Water Aquaculture

Fresh Water Aquaculture in the state has to be undertaken by the interested farmers duly obtaining permission from the department of Fisheries as per the guidelines laid down in the GO Ms no.7 dated 16-3-2013 of the AH, DD & Fisheries dept. which has superseded all the previous GOs issued by the government for regulation of freshwater aquaculture? So far 474 ponds covering an area of 781 Ha has been issued with the certificate of registration.

Implementation of Plan Schemes:

Strengthening of Fisheries Database and networking

Under this scheme, the inland water bodies are being mapped by Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore with Remote Sensing Technology. The scheme consists of a continuation of staff (1) on deputation from Directorate of Economics and Statistics and conducting of survey etc. The B.E. for 2015-16 is Rs.12.00. The proposals have been submitted to GoI for sanction of funds.

Housing scheme for fishermen

The unit cost is Rs.70,000/- per house, out of which State Government subsidy is 20,500/-, Loan amount is Rs. 47,500/- and beneficiary contribution is Rs. 2000/ vide G.O. Ms No. 9, Housing (RH.A1) Dept., Dt. 10-05-2013. Under the scheme, the Govt. of India is providing a subsidy of Rs. 35,000/-. The scheme is converged with the housing programme under INDIRAMMA. The State Share is being met from the Budget Provisions of the Housing Department. The Govt. of India has revalidated an amount of Rs.275.00 Lakh released during 2014-15 on 31-3-2015 for utilization during the year 2015-16. The Govt. of Telangana has released the amount for utilization.

Group Accident Insurance Scheme for Fishermen

The premium under Group Accident Insurance Scheme for fishermen is Rs.20.27 per head which is shared equally by Central and State Governments @ Rs. 10.135 per fisherman. The Ex-gratia payable is Rs.2,00,000/- in a case of death/permanent disability and Rs.1,00,000/- in a case of partial disability and a cover of Rs. 10,000/- towards hospitalization expenses in the event of an accident. The Government of India is releasing their share directly to the National Federation of Fishermen Cooperatives, New Delhi for payment of premium to the Insurance Company. The Govt. of Telangana is also paying Rs. 1.00 lakh as exgratia to the dependents of the deceased fishermen in addition to the amount payable under GAIS. The Govt. of Telangana has released Rs. 93.75 Lakh as State shares to pay the premium of fishers and exgratia of Rs. 1.00 Lakh to the families of deceased fishermen whose claims have been settled by the Insurance Company. The lives of 3.07 fishers have insured for the year 2015-16.

Training and Extension

Under this scheme, the expenditure made towards the training programmes such as stipend to the trainees, honorarium to guest faculty, publication of handbooks, extension manual and organization of works shop etc., is met by the Govt. of India and Govt. of Telangana on 50:50 basis. The Govt. of India has revalidated an amount of Rs. 7.87 Lakh released during the year 2014-15 on 31-3-2015 for utilizing during the year 2015-16. The Govt. of Telangana has released a number of Rs. 15.74.

Assistance to Fisheries societies (Supply of fish seed to Fishermen Cooperative Societies)

It was proposed to provide 50% subsidy on the cost of fish seed so that the tanks are stocked with fish seed adequately, to increase inland fish production with a unit cost of Rs. 25,000/- per tank and 50% subsidy Rs. 12,500/per tank. For the year 2015-16, it is proposed to provide Rs. 10.50 Lakh to cover 84 minor irrigation/gram panchayat tanks. The Govt. has released Rs. 5.24 Lakh. Out of which Rs. 3.75 Lakh is spent. In addition to this the Govt. have released Rs. 648.00 Lakh for stocking of all departmental tanks which have received more than 50% water on 100% grant. The stocking of fish seed is under progress.

Supply of ice-boxes

To improve domestic fish marketing, a sale of fish preserved in ice has to be ensured. The supply of ice boxes was taken up earlier with the assistance from Ministry of Food Processing. There is good demand for a supply of iceboxes. A subsidy not exceeding Rs.2000/- per box is being provided. The Budget Estimates for the year 2014-15 is Rs 84.00 Lakh to supply 4,200 Ice boxes during the year to the members of MMGs/fish vendors etc., The Govt. have released Rs. 42.00 Lakh and so far Rs. 18.90 Lakh are spent.

Development of Fisheries

With an objective to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, increase livelihood support and welfare of fishermen in capture and culture fisheries a comprehensive project/scheme for Fisheries Development is proposed with a total outlay of Rs. 3856.72 Lakh. In this project infrastructure oriented schemes, beneficiary oriented schemes/ programmes, community assets for fishermen including SC/ST fishermen are proposed. The details of components sanctioned during 2015-16 and proposed for 2016-17 are furnished below: Under the scheme, the Govt. has released Rs. 1928.36 Lakh and Rs. 1281.09 are spent. The Budget Estimates for the year 2016-17 is Rs.

Components included in Fisheries Development Scheme-2015-16
(Rupees in Lakh)
S. No.	Name of the component	Pattern of assistance		2015-16
			Unit cost	No. of units	Subsidy
1	Construction of Community Halls for Inland fishermen	Rs. 9.00 Lakh Grant from Dept, Rs.1.00 Lakh from MLA/MP/ MLC or FCS	10.00	280	2520.00
2	Savings-cum-Relief to Inland Fisheries	Rs. 1800/- grant on savings of Rs. 900/- by fishers in 3 instts.	0.27	3000	54.00
3	Supply of Boats and nets to reservoir / river course licensees	50% Subsidy and 50% Bank Loan	0.10	6000	300.00
4	Assistance for Retail Fish Marketing
A)	Vending unit with moped	75% subsidy and 25% Bank Loan (90% subsidy & 10% BL for SC/ST)	0.40	500	160.00
B)	Vending unit with Luggage auto	75% subsidy and 25% Bank Loan (90% subsidy & 10% BL for SC/ST)	4.00	120	384.00
5	Establishment of fish/prawn farm or Fish Seed Farm or Fish Hatchery	50% Subsidy and 50% Bank Loan (75% Subsidy, 25% BL for SC/STs)	15.00	5	45.00
6	Setting up of Backyard Hatcheries for Ornamental fish production by fisher women (SHG)/Co-op	75% subsidy and 25% Bank Loan (90% subsidy & 10% BL for SC/ST)	1.00	5	4.00
7	Provision of state share for implementation of NFDB schemes/Cage culture etc.,	As per guidelines of NFDB			389.72
	GRAND TOTAL			9910	3856.72

Scheduled Caste Sub Plan - 2015-16

Scheme for relief and welfare of fishermen belonging to Scheduled Castes Under the scheme the following components have been taken up:

Supply of inputs ie., fish seed, feed etc.,

Under this component Scheduled Caste fishermen will be provided financial assistance for the purchase of fishery inputs like fish / prawn seed, feed etc., The unit cost is Rs.10,000/- out of which subsidy will be 90%. The beneficiary contribution will be 10%. Under the scheme 240, SC fishermen will be benefitted with a subsidy assistance of Rs.21.60 Lakhs.

b) Supply of Boats and nets

Under this component, the SC fishermen living near the rivers and reservoirs will be provided financial assistance for the purchase of boats and nets, like coracles, putties, FRP Beach landing Crafts, arige and nets like cast nets, gill nets, of the choice of the beneficiary for fishing. The unit cost is Rs 10,000/- and subsidy will be 90% and 10% will be a beneficiary contribution. Under the scheme 228, SC fishermen will be benefitted with a subsidy assistance of Rs. 20.52 Lakhs.

SCSP Fish Retail outlets:

Under the scheme the following components will be taken up for marketing assistance:

a)Vending units with Moped

Under this component, it is proposed to provide financial assistance to SC fishermen for the purchase of Moped with other vending items like an ice box, weighing machine, cutter, knives, torch light etc., as there is a great need to promote the sale of fish in domestic markets. The unit cost is Rs.40,000/- and subsidy will be 90% and 10% will be Bank Loan. Under the scheme 215, SC fishermen will be benefitted with a subsidy assistance of Rs.77.40 Lakhs.

Vending units with Luggage Auto

Under the scheme, it is proposed to provide financial assistance to SC fishermen for the purchase of Luggage Auto with other vending items like an ice box, weighing machine, Plastic tanks, Oxygen cylinder, cutter, knives, torch light etc., as there is a great need to promote the sale of fish in domestic markets. The unit cost is Rs.4,00,000/- and subsidy will be 90% and 10% will be Bank Loan. Under the scheme, at least 40 SC fishermen will be benefitted with a subsidy assistance of Rs. 144.00 Lakhs.

G. Rajendera Kumar