Una, April 17: Decisions taken by the Sukhu government to stabilize the livelihoods of thousands of fisherfolk across the state have provided them with a significant boost in confidence. Under the 'Chief Minister Fisherfolk Assistance Scheme' announced by the state government, the procurement of fish harvested from reservoirs will now be guaranteed at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ?100 per kilogram. This initiative ensures that fisherfolk receive a fair return for their hard work while bringing stability to their income. A large number of fisher families in the Kutlehar region of Una district—who depend on the Gobind Sagar Lake for their sustenance—stand to benefit directly from this scheme.
Notably, in his budget speech, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also stated that if the price of fish during auctions falls below ?100 per kilogram, the government will directly deposit the difference—up to a maximum of ?20 per kilogram—into the fisherfolk's bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This measure will mitigate the impact of market fluctuations, allowing fisheries to emerge as a secure and reliable profession.
Providing further relief to the fisherfolk, the government has reduced the royalty levied on reservoirs from 15 percent to 7.5 percent; furthermore, an announcement has been made to lower this rate to a mere 1 percent in the upcoming financial year. This decision will directly benefit over 6,000 reservoir-dependent fisherfolk across the state.
Additionally, to compensate for the loss of income incurred during the seasonal ban on fishing in the monsoon season, fisher families will be provided with an annual 'Samman Nidhi' (honorarium) of ?3,500. A 90 percent subsidy will be extended to 4,000 riverine fisherfolk for the purchase of cast nets, and to 3,000 reservoir-based fisherfolk for gill nets. Furthermore, needy fisherfolk will be eligible for a subsidy of up to 70 percent on the purchase of fishing boats.
Under this scheme, the infrastructure within the fisheries sector is also set to be strengthened. Incentives will be provided for the establishment of 20 cold storage units, each with a capacity of 5 metric tons, and 10 freeze-drying units. Furthermore, a 70 percent subsidy will be granted for the purchase of 20 refrigerated vehicles to facilitate the transportation of fish to major markets such as Delhi and Chandigarh.
It is worth noting that a large number of people in the Kutlehar region are engaged in fisheries; this community, which relies heavily on the Gobind Sagar Lake, had long been demanding a stable income and better support prices. Consequently, this scheme has brought them both relief and renewed confidence.
Sushil Kumar of Lathiani states that with the implementation of the MSP (Minimum Support Price), they will now receive a fair price for their catch, thereby ensuring that their hard work is duly safeguarded. Meanwhile, according to Krishna Kumar, this initiative will not only bring stability to the lives of fishermen but also inspire them to further expand and grow their business.
Thousands of families across the state depend—directly or indirectly—on the fisheries sector for their livelihood. In this context, the 'Chief Minister's Fishermen Assistance Scheme' is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening the incomes of fishermen and injecting fresh momentum into the rural economy.