TADEPALLI: As part of implementing the schemes mentioned in the YSRCP manifesto (Navaratnalu), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa for the fisherman and fishing community in the State on Thursday, November 21 on the occasion of World Fisheries Day.

The scheme was launched at Komanapalli in Mummudivaram mandal in East Godavari district .

YS Jagan had personally seen the plight of the fishermen during his 3,648 km-long Praja Sankalpa Yatra in the state. He has seen how eagerly the fisherman families wait for their lone bread-earner to return home and assured them that he was there to take care of them.

This promise made by the Chief Minister then ,would be fulfilling now with the launch of YSR Matsyakara Bharosa programme.

YSR Matsyakara Bharosa

As part of the scheme the government will provide Rs 10,000 to each fisherman family during the ‘no fishing’ season.

The subsidy amount on diesel for fishermen would increase from Rs 6.03 to Rs 9 and the government has identified 81 petrol filling stations for this purpose.

Earlier, the financial aid used to be given to the people who use only mechanized and motorized boats whereas YSRCP Government would provide financial assistance to the fisherman families who use hunting rafts.

A total of 1, 32,332 families would be benefited from this scheme.

The ex gratia that was being given to families of fishermen who died while fishing has been enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. This programme would be applicable to fishermen in the age group of 18 to 60.

It may be recollected 16,559 fishermen belonging to eight mandals in East Godavari lost their livelihood in 2012 when the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation conducted drilling exploration for 13 months.

The petroleum company paid a compensation of Rs 68.88 crore for a period of six months. But was yet to pay Rs 78.24 crore to the fishermen for the remaining period of seven months.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who has seen the plight of the fisherman families, said the government would pay the remaining compensation of Rs 78.24 crore on the World Fisheries Day 2019.

The government has decided to set up integrated aqua labs in 46 places by spending Rs 56.53 crore to test the quality of water, sand, feed and seeds for the benefit of aqua- culturists.

Aqua farmers would be provided power at a cost of Rs1.50 per unit for which the government would allocate Rs 720 crore to benefit 53,550 aqua farmers.

In addition, the government would provide rights to fishermen on canals on lease at a nominal cost, provide inputs at a subsidy and release hatchlings into the rivers for hatching.

Also Watch Live | YS Jagan Launch YSR Matsyakara Bharosa For AP Fishermen