The Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry, has introduced a subsidy scheme titled “Subsidy for the Purchase of Fiber-reinforced Plastic Cattamaran/ Vallam/ Wooden Nava/ Marine Plywood Canoe With Nets” under the broader initiative “Financial Assistance for Availing Subsidy Components for the Development of Marine Fisheries.” The scheme is designed to provide financial support to fishermen for procuring various types of fishing craft, with a focus on fiber-reinforced plastic vallam.
Benefits under the Scheme:
- 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of ₹50,000 per unit, for fiber-reinforced plastic catamaran and marine plywood canoe with nets.
- 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of ₹1,00,000 per unit, for fiber-reinforced plastic vallam with nets.
- 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of ₹40,000 per unit, for wooden nava with net.
- 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of ₹5,000 per unit, for the procurement of inland catamaran with nets (unit cost ₹10,000).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should belong to the fishermen community or be professionally engaged in fishing/fish trade on a full-time basis.
- Residency in the Union territory of Puducherry for a continuous period of at least five years.
- Enrollment as a member of the Fishermen Co-operative Society, with age between 23 and 60 years.
- Not a recipient of Old Age Pension issued by the department.
- Not employed in Government/Government Undertakings/Fishermen Co-operative Society.
- No outstanding dues to the Department/Fishermen Co-operative Societies at the time of application.
- For male applicants, possession of sea fishing experience for a minimum of 5 years.
- For female applicants, possession of 5 years of fish trade experience issued by the Village Panchayat.
Application Process:
- Visit the Office/ Sub-Office of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare.
- Request the hard copy of the prescribed application form from the concerned authority.
- Fill in the application form, attach required documents, and submit it to the concerned authority.
- Request a receipt or acknowledgment containing essential details.
Documents Required:
- Passport-sized Photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Election Photo Identity Card (Proof of Identity)
- Ration Card (Proof of Address)
- Birth Certificate (Proof of Age)
- Membership Certificate from the Fishermen/Fisherwoman Co-operative Society
- Document attesting full-time engagement in fishing or fish trade occupation
- Residence Certificate indicating a continuous period of not less than five years in Puducherry
- Enrollment certificate as a member of the Fishermen Co-operative Society
- Declaration of not being a recipient of Old Age Pension
- Declaration of not being employed in Government/Government Undertakings/Fishermen Co-operative Society
- Declaration certifying no outstanding dues to the Department/Fishermen Co-operative Societies
- Proof of Sea Fishing Experience (for male applicants)
- Proof of Fishing Trade Experience issued by the Village Panchayat (for female applicants)
- Loan Sanction Orders/Acceptance for Loan Sanction from the Bank/National Co-operative Development Corporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the conditions for sea fishing experience be waived for male applicants, and under what circumstances?
There is no provision for waiving the sea fishing experience requirement for male applicants; it is a mandatory criterion for eligibility.
2. What is the unit cost for inland catamaran with nets, and how does it relate to the maximum subsidy provided?
The unit cost for inland catamaran with nets is ₹10,000, and the subsidy is capped at ₹5,000 per unit.
3. Is there any flexibility in the subsidy amount for fibre-reinforced plastic vallam, and what role does the applicant’s financial contribution play?
The subsidy for fibre-reinforced plastic vallam is capped at ₹1,00,000 per unit, linked to the applicant’s own finance or loan component from National Co-operative Development Corporation/bank, without flexibility.
4. Could you elaborate on the conditions associated with depositing 50% of the craft and net cost, and what entities are authorized to receive this deposit?
Applicants are required to deposit 50% of the craft and net cost with the Federation/Marketing Union/the Fishermen Co-operative Societies, adhering to specified norms/pattern of assistance.
5. What is the significance of the Village Panchayat certification for women applicants in the context of fish trade experience?
Women applicants need a certification from the Village Panchayat confirming a minimum of five years of fish trade experience to meet the eligibility criteria.
6. How is the subsidy amount determined for fibre-reinforced plastic catamaran, and is there flexibility in this rate?
The subsidy for fibre-reinforced plastic catamaran is capped at ₹50,000 per unit, and the rate may be adjusted by the Government periodically.
7. Regarding the subsidy for wooden nava, are there any specific conditions or modifications in the pattern of assistance?
The subsidy for wooden nava is subject to the applicant’s own finance or loan component from National Co-operative Development Corporation/bank, as per the norms/pattern of assistance that may be modified over time.
8. Can you explain the subsidy details for the procurement of inland catamaran with nets and any changes that might occur over time?
The subsidy for inland catamaran with nets is fixed at ₹5,000 per unit (unit cost ₹10,000), and the rate of subsidy may be revised by the Government from time to time.
9. What percentage of the craft and net cost should the applicant be prepared to deposit, and where should this deposit be made?
The applicant is required to deposit 50% of the cost of craft and net with the Federation/Marketing Union/the Fishermen Co-operative Societies, following the specified norms/pattern of assistance.
10. In the context of wooden nava, what is the maximum subsidy available, and how is it linked to the applicant’s financial contribution?
The maximum subsidy for a wooden nava is ₹40,000 per unit, linked to the applicant’s own finance or loan component from National Co-operative Development Corporation/bank.
11. Can you elaborate on the eligibility criteria for male applicants seeking this subsidy, particularly in terms of sea fishing experience?
Male applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of sea fishing experience in mechanized or motorized/non-motorized traditional crafts, certified by the owners.
12. What is the maximum subsidy provided for a fibre-reinforced plastic catamaran, and what conditions are linked to accessing this subsidy?
The maximum subsidy for a fibre-reinforced plastic catamaran is ₹50,000 per unit, contingent on the applicant’s own finance or loan from the National Co-operative Development Corporation/bank.
