Bandipora, November 11:(KNS) The District Administration Bandipora on Wednesday approved 15 Houses and discussed a plan of Rs 14.50 Crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aiming at uplifting the fishermen community of the Bandipora district.

Joint Director Planning (Chief Planning Officer) Bandipora Imtiyaz Ahmad finalized the components of the Scheme that includes measures to improve the socio-economic condition of the fishermen community. The meeting was attended by Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, Assistant Director Fisheries, District Lead Bank Manager, Senior Scientist KVK Hilal Ahmad besides representatives of fisheries faculty from SKUAST.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Planning Officer said a Rs 7.50 cr project has been earmarked for motor boats under which the fishermen community shall be provided motor boats on subsidized rates that will not only help the fishermen community in transporting the fish but shall also boost the tourism activities in the Wular lake.

Rs 5.20 cr has also been earmarked for providing houses for the fishermen community besides construction of farming units, raceways, carp ponds and tanks.

He said an amount of Rs 1.11 Cr has also been reserved for livelihood and nutritionals support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisheries families for conservation of fisheries resources during fishing ban/lean period.

He said an insurance scheme has also been approved for the fishermen community and the entire premium amount will be paid by the state and the UT government. “Under the scheme Rs 5 lakh shall be paid in case of death or permanent total disability, Rs 2.50 lakhs against permanent partial disability and Rs twenty thousand against accidental hospitalization”.(KNS)