Seafood has been one of the most preferred staple diets of people worldwide. India’s seafood demand is also growing day by day making it a chosen cuisine by many, directly making fishermen one of the lifeblood of India’s economy. Fishing has been supporting not only the economy but the lives of many fishermen by giving them employment. It is also one of those businesses that carries a huge risk impacting one’s life as the sea is unpredictable and can be unforgivable at times.

To be able to mitigate these risks and protect the lives of fishermen, the government has taken a bold move by introducing a state government scheme called ‘Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Lifejackets and Lifebuoys for Fishermen’ by the Department of Fisheries of the government of Goa which aims to provide monetary support to fishermen for buying essential safety gear such as lifejackets and lifebuoys so that they can enter the sea with protection and safety.

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What Does The Govt Scheme Entail?

The Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Lifejackets and Lifebuoys for Fishermen is an essential government scheme that provides 50% relief in purchasing needed safety gear such as lifejackets (1000 INR per lifejacket) and lifebuoys (1500 INR per lifebuoy). The main objective of the Sarkari Yojana is to minimise the number of accidents and fatalities at sea and ensure that the lives of fishermen are safe and secure.

This govt scheme is part of a broader initiative of the government. i.e. to enhance the conditions of protection of fishermen and provide a protective layer when they go fishing.

Eligibility Criteria For This Government Scheme

The eligibility criteria for availing of this scheme are:

• Applicant should be a traditional fisherman by birth or profession.

• The applicant should be a resident of Goa.

• Applicant should have one of the following: a canoe with an outboard motor (OBM) or mechanised trawlers engaged in trawling or purse seining operations.

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Application Process

The application process is completed in the following three stages:

• Applicants are required to send hard copies of the documents by post only.

• One needs to fill out the application form and attach the necessary documents along with it such as an updated fishing license, vessel registration certificate, and Aadhaar card.

• Applicant needs to submit the application form along with the required documents to the official address of the Department of Fisheries, Goa.

How Does This Govt Scheme Impact The Life Of Local Fishermen?

The Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Lifejackets and Lifebuoys for Fishermen carries a strong and positive impact on the lives of not just the fishermen but their families as well.

Everyone has the basic right to live and to carry out mundane jobs and duties of the day with safety. The government of Goa recognises this and has introduced this govt scheme to equip the fishermen with the necessary safety equipment so that they can go fishing without a considerable threat to their lives.

It also raises awareness among the community of fishermen about the need and importance of proper safety equipment that they should mandatorily use.

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Conclusion

The government’s Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Lifejackets and Lifebuoys for Fishermen is a step taken toward making the lives of fishermen safe, secure, and a little bit easier and also puts the fishermen’s families at ease. The scheme stands as a testament to the government’s promise to safeguard the well-being of that community which contributes majorly to India’s economy.

If you stumble upon any more queries, you can write to the Department of Fisheries on their official email.

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