Maharashtra cabinet nod to give agriculture status to fisheries
When asked about the definition of fisherfolks, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said registered fishermen organisations and bio-metric identification will be used to finalise the beneficiaries.
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Following the status, fisherfolks will get concessions like electricity supply at agricultural rates, Kisan Credit Card, bank loan facility, insurance cover at low rates, government subsidies and benefits of solar energy scheme. (Credit: Pixabay)The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday decided to give agriculture status to fisheries business. Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said all schemes and benefits given to farmers, including loan waiver scheme in the state, will now be applicable to nearly 4.83 lakh marine and inland fishermen.
“To strengthen the rural economy of Maharashtra and increase fish production, fisherfolks in the state will be provided with infrastructure facilities and concessions like those in the agricultural sector. Currently, the state stands at sixth position in marine fishing while 17th position in inland fishing.
“Our aim is to bring Maharashtra into the top three in terms of fishing and the agriculture status will help take state to top three,” said Rane.
Following the status, fisherfolks will get concessions like electricity supply at agricultural rates, Kisan Credit Card, bank loan facility, insurance cover at low rates, government subsidies and benefits of solar energy scheme. “As a result, employment generation in rural areas will also be boosted, and fish production is expected to increase significantly,” Rane said. He added that farmers will also be given financial assistance from District Central Cooperative Banks.
Rane said states like Andhra Pradesh (50.43 per cent increase), Chhattisgarh (32.15 per cent), Jharkhand (49.52 per cent), Bihar (45.2 per cent) and Karnataka (103.3 per cent) have given certain facilities like agricultural sector to fisheries which has led to a significant increase in their fish production.
When asked about the definition of fisherfolks, Rane said registered fishermen organisations and bio-metric identification will be used to finalise the beneficiaries.
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