State Govt. Sponsored Welfare Schemes

1. Reservoirs Fishermen Accident Insurance Scheme: Fishing in the big reservoirs is a hazardous job. There is every risk of life during heavy rains and storms. Keeping this in view all active fishermen working in the reservoirs have been insured for Rs. 50,000/- in case of permanent disability and Rs. 1,00,000/- in case of death of the fishermen. The insurance premium of Rs. 30/- is being shared by the Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh in 50:50 ratio.

2. Saving-cum-Relief Scheme (Close Season Assistance): In order to ensure sustained yield of fish from the reservoirs apart from the other management measure a fishing ‘closed-season’ of two months from 1^st June to 31^st July every year has been enforced. This measure has helped in building up fisheries of considerable magnitude by facilitating free run to the mother fish spawner during breeding season and the auto stocking of the fish seed. Every year fish over 4 crores value is being harvested accounting an income of Rs. 60 lakhs to the State exchequer. This measure has also generated considerable resentment in the fishermen community and they were insisting on the provision of some financial assistance during this period. Himachal Pradesh is perhaps the 1^st State in the country which has acceded in the demand of fishermen by introducing a ‘Contributory Saving –cum- Relief Scheme’ to its reservoir fishermen. Under this scheme each fishermen who is member of the cooperative society deposits Rs. 50/- for ten consecutive fishing months from August to May. Proportionate  amount is contributed by the Central and State Government with contribution of Rs. 225/- and 300/- respectively.. The total amount of Rs.1025/- thus, raised is distributed to the fishermen in two installments during the ‘closed season’. 

3. Fishermen Risk Fund Scheme: Fishing in the reservoir is nocturnal in nature and hence involves a considerable element of risk to the life of the fishermen as well as his fishing equipments. Due to changes in atmospheric pressure, followed by cyclonic storms the reservoir become quite rough and such situation create a lot of hardships to the poor fishermen. To mitigate to a certain extent the losses to the fishermen a ‘ Fishermen Relief Fund Scheme’ has been formulated in the State. Under this scheme each reservoir fishermen contributes Rs. 6/- annually, to be collected from him at the beginning of the year while issuing the licenses. The State Government contribute an amount equal to the total contribution of the fishermen. The assistance from the fund to the fishermen is given only on loss of gill nets, wooden boats, and tents. Based on the present value of the equipments the compensation is given up to 33% of the loss of each item. Maximum assistance is given in case of total loss/ destruction of the equipment.

4. Grant-in-Aid / Subsidy For The Construction of Fish Ponds: Fish culture is an important activity and aims at improving the nutritional standard of people by increasing production and consumption of fish as well as to improve the economic condition of the operators by providing them with gainful avocation. In order to assist the people to take the fish culture the States Govt. has formulated a scheme to provide subsidy up to maximum of Rs 5,000 for the construction/renovation of ponds. The subsidy is available @ 50% of the total project cost to Scheduled Castes/Tribes, while other living below poverty line @ 20%. The State Government is also providing training and technical guidance to the entrepreneurs.