Life-saving jackets given to fishermen in Kangra dist

Our Correspondent

NURPUR, DECEMBER 19

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar has said the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) would be a boon for the fishermen as it would boost activities related to fisheries and double their earnings.

He was addressing a gathering of fishermen, who are earning their livelihood from the Pong Dam Reservoir at Khatiar in Fatehpur subdivision of Kangra district, on Friday. The minister said the PMMSY would ameliorate the living conditions of fishermen in the state.

The minister, who distributed 100 life-saving jackets among the local fishermen in the first phase, said all 1,798 fishermen who were fishing in the Pong Reservoir would get such free jackets so that they could save their lives in case of any mishap while fishing.

Briefing about welfare schemes launched by the state government, Kanwar said the fishermen would now get Rs 4,500 per month as financial relief against two months’ fishing close season and get Rs 5 lakh free accidental insurance cover which was earlier Rs 2 lakh.

He also laid the foundation stone of Rs 50-lakh Mukhya Mantri Lok Bhawan for community use in Machhot gram panchayat and announced Rs 10 lakh for development works in the panchayat.