The fisheries department in Odisha has decided to provide Rs 1,500 as monthly compensation to 12,000 marine fishermen for three months during the 61-day fishing ban imposed from April 15 to June 14. The ban is enforced by the government to conserve fish stock during the breeding period.
Details of the Compensation Scheme
Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea to avoid disturbances caused by mechanized fishing vessels to marine organisms. The monetary support is being provided under the government's 'Livelihood Support to Marine Fishermen During Fishing Ban Periods' scheme. The assistance aims to strengthen livelihood support to fishermen, said Rabi Narayan Patnaik, joint director of the fisheries department (Marine), on Monday.
Under this scheme, marine fishermen aged between 18 and 60 years receive Rs 1,500 monthly for three months during the fishing ban period. To qualify, a fisherman must contribute Rs 1,500 by depositing his contribution over a period of nine months, added the fisheries officer.
Eligibility and Coverage
The state has around 1.5 lakh marine fishermen, but only 12,000 have deposited Rs 1,500 in nine installments under the saving-cum-relief scheme. These fishermen are entitled to receive a total amount of Rs 4,500 in three installments from April to June during the fishing ban period, he said. Around 6,000 mechanised fishing vessels, including 1,726 trawlers registered with the department of fisheries, are now moored in fishing harbours and jetties throughout the state from April 15, added the officer.
Criticism from Fishermen's Leaders
However, leaders of fishermen have expressed dissatisfaction. They said the authorities have planned to provide compensation to only 12,000 fishermen, though around 1.5 lakh marine fishermen are now out of their jobs. They also termed the compensation insufficient.
Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Mashyajibi Forum, said, "The government of Andhra Pradesh is giving financial assistance of Rs 20,000 a month to each traditional fisherman during the two-month-long ban. But the Odisha government is giving only Rs 4,500. This amount is not enough. We request the government to give more financial assistance to all marine fishermen."
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About the Author: Ashis Senapati, a seasoned journalist with the Times of India, reports from Kendrapada, Odisha. Covering crime, social issues, and local events in Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapada districts, his impactful stories, including human-animal conflicts and legal developments, reflect deep community insight, earning recognition for highlighting critical regional concerns.
