INDIA’S PM INAUGURATES AND LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF 218 FISHERIES PROJECTS WORTH AROUND RS 1,560 CRORE

PM Modi launches National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rupees (Rs.) 360 crore. He also hands out transponder sets and Kisan (Farmer) Credit Cards to fishermen beneficiaries. These schemes aim to provide employment to approximately 5 lakh 25 thousand people directly and indirectly. Fishermen will be given transponders for free of cost. The transponder system is expected to revolutionise the entire fish production sector. Through this transponder system, fishermen will be connected to their families through 6 satellites and will be able to contact their families. Through this transponder, fishermen will be informed about which area of the sea has more fish available, so that fishermen and vessels do not have to wander far and can fish there. For social security, the PM has provided security through insurance. If any fisherman dies in an accident, he gets 5 lakh rupees, if injured, gets 2.5 lakh rupees, if someone is undergoing treatment in the hospital, gets assistance of 50 to 25 thousand rupees through insurance.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernization of fishing harbours, fish landing centres and construction of fish markets. Fishermen will also be informed about the dangers coming in the sea. They will also be warned before crossing the maritime border.

Informing that India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world, the Prime Minister pointed out that in 2014, 80 lakh tonnes of fish were produced in the country compared to 170 lakh tonnes of fish today. “Fish production has doubled in just 10 years”, he exclaimed. Fish production for export is slated to be around Rs. 1 lakh crore in the coming future. Fish is exported to 123 countries in the world and the largest importer country is the United States of America. He also stated India's growing seafood exports and gave the example of shrimp export worth more than Rs. 40 thousand crore today compared to less than Rs 20 thousand crore ten years ago. “Shrimp export has also more than doubled today”, he added, crediting its success to the Blue Revolution Scheme which helped in creating lakhs of new employment opportunities. The PM also mentioned assisting thousands of women under PM Matsya Sampada Yojna. The Prime Minister informed that more than 110 fishing ports and landing centres are being built for the safe return of fishermen's vessels.