UP launches 3rd scheme for fishermen community

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has launched a new scheme-- Matsya Palak Kalyan Kosh — to cater to the fishermen community in the state.This is the third scheme after Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojna and Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojna (both launched in the current financial year) to be implemented by the Yogi government for the development and promotion of the riverine community.An allocation of Rs 25 crore has been made for carrying out welfare activities under the scheme for 2022-23. In the first phase which started from March 15, infrastructural set-up in 100 villages with a dominant fishermen population will be created under the scheme, said ACS, fisheries Rajneesh Dubey.He added that a government order (GO) in this regard has been issued and the list of villages will be finalised in the coming weeks.The scheme will cater to 12 sub-castes of fishermen in UP-- Kewat, Mallah, Nishad, Bind, Dheemar, Kashyap, Batham, Raikwar, Manjhi, Godia, Kahar and Turaeha.It would also include fishermen from other castes or groups but, as has been the BJP government's priority, welfare of the sub-castes of ‘machhua’ will be at the centre of the scheme.The scheme has components like constructing community centres in villages with dominant ‘macchua’ population, improving the condition of ponds, providing affordable housing to fishermen, medical assistance to those not having Ayushman cards, training and skill development of fishermen through coaching, scholarships, inter-state visits and exposure to seminars, empowering women in the families, assisting families in marriages and providing financial help against natural and other disasters, besides others.As per conservative estimates, UP has over 2 crore fishermen, including all castes and groups. Politically, they are significant as voters for all parties in UP based on their sheer number.