12. EMPLOYMENT GENERATION & WELFARE SCHEMES :

1) Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA):

The scheme is under operation since 1978-79. This scheme aims at to develop water area for fish production by excavating/ renovating an area. Out of the income from fish, prawn and other items (in case of a integrated project) a person is self-employed in the sector. As per NABARD approved scheme the average investment for Ac. 1.00 of water area is between Rs. 92,100 kgs. And 150 kgs. respectively which costs around Rs. 50,000/-. The item in case of a integrated project is more depending on then item of integration.

A person under this scheme enjoys a subsidy of 20% of the project cost with different ceiling rates depending upon the different types of culture undertaken.

2. Swarna Jayanti Gramya Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY):

This is a special scheme for BPL category of Swarojagaries aims to develop the water area for fish production either by excavation or renovating a tank and out of the income from fish and prawn and other items of integration the person is self-employed. As per NABARD approved scheme tank measuring Ac. 1.00 the average investment for the water area is between Rs. 83,000/- to Rs. 1,17,000/-. On an average in case of fish and prawn alone per acre the operational cost is Rs. 16,600/- and income is Rs. 50,000/-. The item in case of integrated project will be more depending on the item of integration.

The subsidy in general is 30% of the project cost subject to maximum Rs. 17,500/- in case of SC & ST 50% of the project cost with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 10,000/-. In case of group finance (SHG) the subsidy is 50% of the scheme cost with a ceiling of Rs. 1.25 lakhs.

3. Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY):

A person can be self-employed under PMRY in the Fishery programmes. This is a scheme under Industry Department. The investment and income is as per NABARD guideling as per above schemes. But the subsidy is being released by the industry Department.

4. Circular Hatchery :

A person can be self-employed by producing fish seed through fish seed hatcheries as there is a great demand for fish seed in our State. The operational cost is Rs. 4,26,500/- and the income generate is Rs. 10000 p.m. the Govt. is providing Rs. 1,60,000/- towards subsidy.

5. Normal Brackish water Scheme :

This is a NABARD approved; scheme. The Unit cost varies between Rs. 0.93 lakh to Rs. 1.42 lakh for development of 0.4 ha. Brackish water area. This scheme is being operated under Central Sponsored Scheme through brackish water Fishermen Development Agencies (BFDAS). Under this scheme, subsidy is provided to the beneficiaries @ Rs. 12,000/- per acre and Rs. 30,000/- per ha. The subsidy is limited for 10 ha. The beneficiary can be adequately self-employed with an annual net income of Rs. 55,000/- to Rs. 60,000/-.

(B) WELFARE SCHEMES:

(1) Saving-cum-Relief Scheme:

(a) Applicability:- This welfare scheme which is operated by Director of fisheries through the Assistant Director of Fisheries (marine), in the coastal districts like, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri and Ganjam. Identification of beneficiaries is made by the 16 nos. of Marine Extension Units located at Kujang of Jagasingpur district, Rajnagar, Mahakalpara of Kendrapara district, Bahabalpur, Gopalpur, Chandeneswar, Baliapal of Balasore district, Dhamara, Basudevpur of Bhadrak district, Puri, Konark, Astaranga, Bramhagiri of Puri district and Ganjam, Gopalpur, Sonapur of Ganjam district. Under this scheme a pass-book is opened in a bank in the name of the beneficiary. Under this scheme, fishermen is to contribute Rs.600/@ Rs.75/- per month for 8 months and Rs.600 is provided by Government of Orissa and Government of India on 50:50 basis. Thus it makes Rs.1200/-. During the lean period of 4 months, this Rs.1200/- is distributed to the concerned fishermen for subsistence @ Rs.300/- per month.

(b) Objectives:- The Marine Fishermen are very poor and there is no alternative source of income in the coastal belt than fishing in the sea. During the month of April, May June and July the sea is very much rough and the fishermen compelled to stay at home without any activities. During this period the scheme provides subsistence to the fishermen.

(c) Eligibility:- An eligible Marine Fishermen means a person who is professionally engaged in full time fishing in sea and should be a member of a Cooperative Society/ Federation/ Welfare Society, lives below poverty line, does not own mechanized fishing boat/beach landing craft and is below 60 years of age. If any member of a fishermen family has regular employment or indulges in any other income generating activity, such family will not qualify for this scheme.

(2) Accident Insurance Scheme:-

(a) Applicability:- The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being operated in 6 nos. of coastal district as well as non-coastal districts of the State. No contribution from fishermen towards premium is necessary. Government of Orissa and Government of India contribute @ Rs.7/- each towards premium per annum per beneficiary. The DFO/ ADFs of the districts identifies beneficiaries through the Block level Fishery Extension Officers/FEOs of Marine Units.

(b) Objectives:- The active fishermen engaged in fishing, faces accident due to natural calamity and also during normal operation, for which they are brought under the scheme to be ensured for permanent disability/death and partial  accident.

(c) Eligibility:- Insurance Coverage is limited to active fishermen below the age of 60. The fishing vessel is to be registered under State Government.

(d) Benefits:- Under the scheme, in case of death/permanent disability the deceased gets Rs.50,000/- and in case of partial disability the fishermen gets Rs.25,000/-. The scheme is well responded during the last 2 years. Each year Government of Orissa used to cover 1,20,000 fishermen under the scheme.

(3) Assistance for Mechanisation Programme:-

(a) Applicability:- This is a centrally sponsored scheme being operated in 6 nos. of coastal districts of the State. Identification of beneficiaries is made by the ADFs (Marine) through their extension officers located in 16marine units. This programme is implemented by Commercial Banks and Co-operative Banks of the State. Out-board and Inboard engines are provided to the owners of the country crafts.

(b) Objectives:- The aim and objectives of the scheme is to provide outboard and in-board engines to enable the traditional fishermen to reach the fishing ground and to come back to the landing centers at an early hours and to dispose off the fishes in fresh condition. The core aim of the scheme is to increase fish production and income of fishermen.

(c) Eligibility:- The fishermen intended to motorise their traditional  boat can avail this facility.

(d) Benefits:- The In-board and Out-board engines are provided under the scheme with subsidy component of Rs.12,000/- per IBM and Rs.10,000/- per OBM.

(4) National Welfare fund for Construction of Low Cost Houses for fishermen:-

(a) Applicability:- The scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme being operated in coastal and non-coastal districts of the State. The entire amount of the scheme is spent from Grant-in-Aid, shared by Government of Orissa and Government of India on 50:50 basis. The concerned DFO/ADFs of the districts select beneficiaries through the Block level extension officers.

(b) Objectives:- This model village scheme can be implemented with all its’ free components i.e. housing, drinking water facilities, community hall and credit societies.

(c) Eligibility:- Both Inland and Marine sectors fishermen can avail this opportunity. Preference should be given to fishermen below poverty line and to land-less fishermen. Active fishermen having land or Kuchha Structures are also considered.

(d) Benefits:- The Plinth area of each house should be limited to 35Sq.mtrs and within Rs.40,000/-. Under the scheme one tube well is provided @ Rs.30,000/- per each clusters consisting of 10-20 houses. Besides a community hall (200 Sq. mtrs.) at a cost of Rs.1,75,000/- will be provided per 75-100 houses. There is no upper limit for the number of house to be constructed in a village, which depends on the number of eligible fishermen in that village.

5. CED Reimbursement on HSD:

The aim is to provide relief to mechanized fishing boats below 20 meters length on consumption of HSD for fishing, @ Rs. 0.3517 per liter. This is mainly to encourage export of marine products. The diesel is to be purchased from Govt./ Cooperative/ Corporation diesel outlet.

6. Reservoir Development Programme under Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for KBK districts:

During the 10^th Plan period Reservoir Fisheries Development under RLTAP for KBK has been proposed at a cost of Rs.566.12 lakh with an aim to develop 83 feasible reservoirs of the 8 KBK districts in phased manner for providing employment and livelihood to the poor fishermen living around the reservoirs. It has been proposed to organize one PFCS/SHG in each reservoir directly involving 3021 members of ST/SC beneficiaries mostly from the target group. The development objective of the project is for increasing fish production in the water bodies with the active participation of fishermen, thereby raising their socio-economic status with generation of employment in the peripheral villages of the reservoirs. It has been estimated to raise the present level of production of 1063.98 MT in these reservoirs to 3151.12 MT by the end of 10^th Plan. During the current financial year a sum of Rs.114.34 lakh will be spent in the programme. As per  the guideline the members are to contribute 10% of total unit cost for purchase of fry, rearing of fry, construction of fish landing shed, purchase of boat and net etc. The 10% so collected will be deposited in a Joint Account of the Govt. servant like FEO/DSF and president of the society, which can be utilised for the coming years for maintenance and other expenditure, when no Govt. aid will be available. During this year 2reservoirs of Rayagada and one reservoir of Koraput & Malkangir each will be taken up under this scheme.

7. Janashree Bima Yojana Policy:

It is meant for people below poverty line/marginally above poverty line and other weaker sections of the society. This scheme was launched on 10.8.2000. Fishermen are also included in the group identified by the Life Insurance Corporation of India. The salient features of the scheme are:

(a) Group must have 25 members of same trade.

(b) The age group of the members within 18 to 60. Such people should be below poverty line or on little upper side of poverty line.

(c) Nodal agencies of organise the scheme (Gram Panchayats, NGOs, or by any social organisations)

(d) Annual premium Rs.200/- out of which Rs.100/- to be financed by Social security Fund and the balance by the beneficiaries or by State Government or by Nodal Agencies.

It has been decided to provide following benefits fro Janashree Bima Yojana subsidised up to 50% from social security Fund.