Digital Goa, Dec 8 – Funds allocated to Goa under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has reduced from Rs 43.57 crore in financial year 2021-22 to meager Rs 8.93 crore in 2023-24, Rajya Sabha was told in a written reply today. The unstarred question in this regards was raised by Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade. Financial year wise fund allocation since 2020 is as follows- 2020-21 – Rs 41.46 crore, 2021-22 – Rs 43.57 crore, 2022-23 – Rs 13.44 crore, 2023-24 – Rs 8.93 crore. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) gives support for boats and nets to traditional fishermen, support for communication/tracking devices, providing sea-safety kits, insurance cover to fishers, support for acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels, alternative/additional livelihood activities like seaweed culture & bivalve culture, training & skill development, support towards cold-chain and marketing facilities. A total fund of Rs 310 crore with central fund of Rs.120 crore has been envisaged for development of fisheries in Goa under PMMSY, the reply stated. Under PMMSY during last three years (2020-21 to 2022-23) and the current year (2023- 24), Department of Fisheries, Government of India has accorded approvals to the fisheries developmental proposals of Government of Goa amounting to Rs.107.95 crore. In addition, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, under Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) has also accorded approval to the proposal of Government of Goa amounting to Rs.6.41 crore, the reply states. Incidentally, fish productivity in Goa is pegged at 3-4 tonnes/ hectare.
