50 lakh fishers to be covered under insurance schemes

50 lakh fishers to be covered under insurance schemes

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, February 3: The National Federation of Fishermen’s Cooperatives Ltd (FISHCOPFED) is planning to cover atleast 50 lakh fishermen under centrally sponsored group accident insurance scheme in the country by the end of the five year plan, said FISHCOPFED Managing Director B K Mishra.

Speaking at the inauguration of three-day regional trainers training programme on ‘Capacity building to enhance the competitiveness of Indian fisheries’ organised by the FISHCOPFED in association with College of Fisheries here on Wednesday, he said over 28 lakh fishers have been covered under the insurance during 2009-10. It covers all active fishers by caste or profession in the age group of 18 to 70. A cover of Rs one lakh is provided for accidental death or permanent disability and Rs 50,000 for partial disability against a premium of Rs 14 by the State and Rs 14 by the Centre.

He said in Karnataka, about 1.20 lakh fishermen have been covered under the insurance scheme. He urged the State government to bring all the fishermen in the State under the purview of the scheme. A small state like Orissa has included 8 lakh fishermen under the scheme.

Stating that there are over 20,000 primary fisheries co-operative societies in the country, Mishra said that the FISHCOPFED will collect the database of all the fisheries co-operative societies and submit a report to the government, which will help the government in chalking out the future plan.

He also stressed the need for networking of fisheries co-operatives and fisheries colleges in India and need based training to fishermen of the country.

Karnataka Cooperative Fisheries Federation (Mysore) President Nanje Gowda said the government and people should develop a sound marketing linkage through fisheries cooperative and also provide social security to the fishermen in the country. He urged the government to fund for the development of fisheries like agriculture.

South Kanara and Udupi district Cooperative Marketing Federation Managing Director Ganapathi Bhat said the fishermen should enroll themselves in fisheries cooperatives to avail the benefits of the insurance schemes.

College of Fisheries Dean Dr Sham Sunder said that all the research which are undertaken in different research institutions should reach at the ground level fishermen through cooperatives. Fisheries department Deputy Director Suresh Kumar also spoke.

The programme was attended by 30 participants from all over the State. The three-day workshop aims at conveying the latest technologies, improving the skills and making fisheries self-dependent.
DHNS, pic- hindu